Ebara Foods Industry, Inc.

Teikoku Databank announced on the 30th that 3,153 food and beverage items from 195 major food manufacturers are scheduled to see price increases in October. In the same month last year, the figure was 3,161 items. This year's cumulative total has reached 20,187 items based on confirmed figures alone, exceeding 20,000 for the second consecutive year. In addition to soaring crude oil and naphtha prices amid the worsening situation in the Middle East, the historically weak yen is pushing up prices, and Teikoku Databank says conditions will remain susceptible to the Middle East situation and exchange rate movements going forward. Looking at October's price hikes by category, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks came to 1,399 items, the most, as revisions to the liquor tax will raise taxes on happoshu, third-category beer, and canned chuhai. Suntory's Kinmugi, which is shifting from third-category beer to beer, is expected to see its 350-milliliter can rise from 197 yen to 206 yen at retail. Seasonings also totaled 820 items, with Ebara Foods Industry raising prices on 49 products including seasonings, and its 500-milliliter sukiyaki sauce will see its suggested retail price rise from 475 yen to 524 yen. For November, 1,469 items are confirmed for price hikes, roughly ten times the number in the same month last year.

Ebara Foods announced on the 17th that it will raise prices on 49 household products, including its sukiyaki sauce series of hot pot seasonings, effective from October 1st deliveries. The suggested retail prices will be increased by up to 18% on a tax-excluded basis.