Consumers will need to dig deeper into their pockets to quench their thirst as a box of bottled water is selling RM2 more starting today.

Sarawak bottled water manufacturers dropped the bombshell yesterday, saying they had no choice but to price their bottled water at RM10 per box of 500ml and 1.5 litre, from RM8 previously.

The fuel prices had cost raw materials especially plastic to double in cost from RM2 per kg to around RM5 per kg. Bottled water manufacturers in the state bought their raw materials for packaging from Peninsular Malaysia and overseas.

Bottled water is currently sold to retailers at a very cheap rate compared to some six years ago when a box would cost RM18.

The manufacturers assured consumers that the measure taken was not to make an extra buck but to cope with the fuel price hike.

The press conference was attended by 10 bottled water manufacturers from all over Sarawak while the rest, although not present, had given consent to the increase.

A box of 500ml bottled water holds 24 bottles while in a box of 1.5 litre, 12 bottles, which means manufacturers’ price per bottle now will be about 42 sen for a 500ml and about 83 sen for a 1.5 litre.

If the usual price of a bottled water is RM1 (500ml) and RM2 (1.5 litre), then retailers would be earning 58 sen and RM1.17 respectively in profit. However, this profit could increase if retailers were to hike their prices following this announcement.