Asahi Breweries is to hike its wine prices by 3-20% as a result of increased procurement costs, according to reports.

The price hike, to be reflected in nearly all of its 900 imported wines, will begin in September in a bid to offset higher shipment costs, rising fuel prices and tight supply and demand for grape juice.

Open pricing for wines and shochu is expected in September, when the brewer will stop paying sales incentives to retailers.

Yesterday (2 July) Sapporo Breweries said it will raise the prices of 33 wine products made in Japan by between 11 and 14%. The increase will apply to products that are domestically brewed but use imported grape juice.