Belgium: InBev to raise Belgian beer prices on average 3 %

Brewer InBev SA is to raise its beer prices in Belgium on average by 3 pct from the end of June, said a spokeswoman for the group, AFX informed on April 5. The group informs distributors of the changes three months before they take effect. InBev said the price increases are due to high energy prices.

A spokeswoman for the group's Belgian operations told daily La Libre Belgique: '(Energy prices) have grown by 24 pct in the last year and energy represents 7 pct of our production costs'.

The 3 pct matches the last round of pricing increases in September, the newspaper said.

InBev added that the domestic price for beer remains at a low level when set against other European countries. 'In comparison with beer prices in neighbouring countries, Belgium is a cheap beer country. In France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom the beer price is considerably higher'.