Brewers mulling beer price hike

Korean liquor companies are reportedly considering raising the price of beer products starting next week, citing rising raw material and logistics costs, according to local reports.

Reports quoting industry sources said Oriental Brewery Co., owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world‘s biggest brewer, has sent notices to wholesale dealers across the country that it would increase beer prices 5.3-5.6 percent starting May 1.

The wholesale price of a half-liter Cass, OB‘s best-selling beer brand, is expected to go beyond 1,300 won if the plan is approved by the government. The prices of OB beers have remained unchanged since 2012, when the company raised prices 5.93 percent.

An OB official, however, denied the reports, citing the complexity of alcohol regulations and licensing authority.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)