F&N Beverages Marketing Sdn Bhd, the soft drinks division of Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, said today they will not increase beverage prices despite the hike in petrol and diesel prices.

In giving the assurance, Managing Director Khalid Alvi said the increases in fuel prices cannot be avoided as it was part and parcel of the government's economic monetary and fiscal decision, of which the company is part of the economy and its system.

"We will ensure that we will continue to produce products at the lowest cost as possible and we will ensure that the fuel price impact can be absorbed and has the least impact to the consumer as possible," he told reporters after launching Oishi Green Tea here today.

On Sept 3, the government announced a 20 sen increase for RON95 petrol and diesel prices to RM2.10 and RM2 per litre, respectively, and two days later RON 97 petrol went up 15 sen to RM2.85 per litre as part of the fuel subsidy rationalisation measure.

F&N Beverages is Malaysia's largest soft drinks manufacturer with 27 per cent market share and has the largest distribution network spanning 90 per cent of the outlets nationwide.

The company distributes soft drinks such as 100PLUS, F&N Fun Flavours, SEASONS, myCola, Fruit Tree, Ice Mountain Mineral Water and F&N Cordials.

Currently, the company has also start distributing Red Bull products.

Meanwhile, Oishi Group Plc Executive Vice-President Aniruth Mahathorn said the Oishi Green Tea has entered four markets in Southeast Asia, namely Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Malaysia.

The company, which has team up with F&N Beverages Marketing, is looking forward to distribute in other Southeast Asia countries such as Singapore.

F&N Beverages Marketing has been appointed by Oishi Group to market and distribute Oishi Green Tea in Malaysia.