Consumers to feel heat of higher input costs

Freight rates have eased from the peak and container availability has improved for India’s exporters and importers of apparel and agricultural commodities to consumer electronics, but high input costs could force them to increase prices in the coming months, according to industry insiders.

Prices of television, smartphones, refrigerators and air-conditioners are likely to increase 5-6% by next month and another round of price hikes is expected in January-February, due to a 10-12% rise in input cost.