MOSCOW, March 10. /TASS/. Russian breweries increase selling prices to keep their business profitable in the environment of rising costs of raw materials, packages, logistics and utilities, board chairman of the Union of Russian Brewers Daniil Briman told TASS.

"The rise in prices is an expectable process, particularly before the high season of sales. Majors often postpone this step for longer than medium-size and small players because they have a greater financial reserve. However, even they have to adjust prices to keep the business profitable in conditions of growing costs of raw materials, packaging, logistics and utilities," he said.

The union is aware of the increase in selling prices by major brewers, Briman noted. All market players track such changes in the sector, especially that majors, medium and small companies often work with the same federal chains and distributors.

Producers endeavor to minimize the transfer of costs to consumers in order to remain competitive, the expert said. "As regards the further rise in prices, much depends on macroeconomic factors, including inflation and the key rate level," he added.