Gutter Meat
01-04-2007, 08:08 PM
Beer and other costs soar
Due to taxes to be imposed on beer producers as part of the fiscal reform, the consumer now has to deal with a RD$10-RD$20 price increase on Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana beer. Since Tuesday, the price of a 12oz Presidente beer has gone up from its recommended price of RD$35 to RD$45, while the Bohemia brand was increased from RD$30 to RD$40. Meanwhile, Presidente's "jumbo" beer bottle increased by RD$20, as it is now being sold for RD$90 and the 22oz Presidente beer went up from RD$50 to RD$65.
Ambev Dominicana (Brahma beer) says that their product prices haven't increased, but that they are studying the situation and could also raise their prices.
The latest fiscal reform taxes beverages on the percentage of alcohol, and not according to volume. A selective tax added on alcoholic beverages was also included, making a price increase almost inevitable.
Cigarette costs also increased. A pack of Marlboro now costs RD$40, an increase of RD$2. Fausto Perez, secretary general of the Leon Jimenes Industry Tobacco Workers Union, speaking in El Caribe newspaper, said that the tax increases could put 500,000 people who are directly or indirectly employed by the tobacco industry out of work. Perez has instructed legislators to review the fiscal reform that caused the price increases. But as Diario Libre reports, tobacco and alcohol aren't the only products that have gone up in price. Soy oil, evaporated milk, herring, American rice, and wheat all cost more this week. Prices are expected to continue to increase once a new tax on diesel, the principal fuel used for transporting goods locally, goes into effect
Due to taxes to be imposed on beer producers as part of the fiscal reform, the consumer now has to deal with a RD$10-RD$20 price increase on Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana beer. Since Tuesday, the price of a 12oz Presidente beer has gone up from its recommended price of RD$35 to RD$45, while the Bohemia brand was increased from RD$30 to RD$40. Meanwhile, Presidente's "jumbo" beer bottle increased by RD$20, as it is now being sold for RD$90 and the 22oz Presidente beer went up from RD$50 to RD$65.
Ambev Dominicana (Brahma beer) says that their product prices haven't increased, but that they are studying the situation and could also raise their prices.
The latest fiscal reform taxes beverages on the percentage of alcohol, and not according to volume. A selective tax added on alcoholic beverages was also included, making a price increase almost inevitable.
Cigarette costs also increased. A pack of Marlboro now costs RD$40, an increase of RD$2. Fausto Perez, secretary general of the Leon Jimenes Industry Tobacco Workers Union, speaking in El Caribe newspaper, said that the tax increases could put 500,000 people who are directly or indirectly employed by the tobacco industry out of work. Perez has instructed legislators to review the fiscal reform that caused the price increases. But as Diario Libre reports, tobacco and alcohol aren't the only products that have gone up in price. Soy oil, evaporated milk, herring, American rice, and wheat all cost more this week. Prices are expected to continue to increase once a new tax on diesel, the principal fuel used for transporting goods locally, goes into effect