A consumer policy think tank, CUTS International, has cautioned against attempts to standardise sachet water prices, arguing that such moves could harm competition and disadvantage consumers.
The call comes in response to a planned price increase by the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers, which is set to take effect on April 6, 2026, citing rising production costs and global supply pressures.
Mr Appiah Kusi Adomako, Director of CUTS’ West Africa Regional Centre, urged the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry and the Attorney General to engage the association to reconsider any directive that could enforce uniform pricing across the market.
He stressed that while government intervention may be necessary to address market failures such as collusion, it must not suppress competition by imposing fixed prices.
According to him, price differences among producers reflect varying operational costs and should be allowed to persist, as they ultimately give consumers more options.
“Consumers must benefit from competition,” Mr Adomako said, noting that allowing companies to independently determine their pricing encourages efficiency and innovation within the industry.
The think tank warned that any attempt to control prices across the sector could distort the market and limit consumer choice, even as producers grapple with increasing production expenses.
