TOKYO, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The prices of 1,477 food and beverage products from 195 major manufacturers in Japan are set to rise in November, nearly 10 times the 150 items recorded in the same month last year, according to a survey by Japanese research company Teikoku Databank.
Seasonings, including sauces and mayonnaise, accounted for the largest share, at 644 items, followed by alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, with 417 items, the company said.
The number of food and beverage products subject to price hikes this year has reached 20,327, exceeding 20,000 for the second consecutive year.
Looking ahead to next year, the pace of price increases may slow as companies pass on higher costs while carefully gauging consumer responses, a Teikoku Databank official said. ■