Dabur expects input costs to surge in Q4

Commodity prices,specially that of sugar,used in the preparation of fruit juices have increased significantly over the past few months touching up to Rs 36 per kg as India faces a shortfall this year.

The country8217;s sugar production in 2008-09 season ended September is estimated at 15 million tonnes down from 26.4 million tonnes in the previous year.

Duggal said the surging input costs will put pressure on the overall cost structure but is hopeful that the company can manage the situation without 8220;significant price increase8221;.

8220;We will try our level best not to take any price increase but having said that we cannot promise that there will not be any price increase in future,8221; he said.

Duggal said the company will cut down its expenses in other activities in an effort to avoid hiking products prices.

8220;We will cut cost somewhere else. We have spent a lot of money on the first two quarters. We can cut back a little bit and we will cut our expense a little bit,8221; he said.