The move comes as KBL faces stiff competition from local brewers such as Patiala Distillers, which boasts brands like Blue Ice, Chase, Neon, and Konyagi. Among these, Blue Ice has gained popularity among lower-income consumers due to its affordability, with a 250ml bottle retailing at around Ksh 200
Faced with heightened competition in the spirits market, Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) on Tuesday announced price adjustments for its popular brands to boost accessibility during the festive season. In a statement, KBL revealed that the revised prices will apply to both 750ml and 250ml bottles, with the aim of ensuring affordability while maintaining product quality.
Under the new pricing schedule, a 750ml bottle of Chrome Gin and Chrome Vodka will now retail at Ksh 700, down from Ksh 760 and Ksh 740 respectively. Kane Extra and Triple Ace Vodka have also seen reductions, now priced at Ksh 680, down from Ksh 720 and Ksh 690 respectively. For 250ml bottles, Chrome Gin and Chrome Vodka will cost Ksh 260, reduced from Ksh 290, while Kane Extra and Triple Ace Vodka drop to Ksh 240 from Ksh 260.
“We have made this decision to align with the current economic realities, ensuring that our high-quality products remain affordable during the holidays,” said Lilian Mbugua, KBL’s MSS Portfolio Manager.
The move comes as KBL faces stiff competition from local brewers such as Patiala Distillers, which boasts brands like Blue Ice, Chase, Neon, and Konyagi. Among these, Blue Ice has gained popularity among lower-income consumers due to its affordability, with a 250ml bottle retailing at around Ksh 200.
Adding to the challenge is the rampant proliferation of counterfeit alcoholic products. These illegal operators package substandard alcohol in premium brand bottles with counterfeit KRA excise stamps, costing both manufacturers and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) billions annually.
According to KRA’s 2022 statistics, counterfeiters deprive local manufacturers of Ksh 5.1 billion in revenue and the government of Ksh 9.75 billion in potential tax revenue each year. Despite regular crackdowns, these illicit practices continue to plague the market.
As KBL adjusts its pricing to maintain a competitive edge, the battle against counterfeits and economic challenges remains a pressing concern for both the industry and regulators.
