South Africa Rise in tinplate price threatens canning industry

The Citizen:: "The rise in the price of tinplate posed a severe threat to the future of the canning industry, the SA Fruit and Vegetable Canners' Association said on Tuesday.
ArcelorMittal would increase the price of tinplate by around 70 percent from April 2009, the association said in a statement.

“ArcelorMittal also makes reference to the fact that this increase is based on a formula comprised of a basket of prices from a number of international markets to which the current rand-dollar exchange rate is applied.

“Irrespective of any formula which has been used to determine these price increases, the impact will see double digit increases across all canned foods,” the association warned.

This had resulted in an increase of between 45 and 55 percent in the price of cans by the association’s can suppliers.

“This will lead to significant increases in the retail prices of canned foods and this will be especially tough for consumers in the lower income bracket,” said Rudi Richards, chairman of the association."