According to Zhang Qunxiang, spokesman of P&G China, Procter & Gamble, the world's leading personal care household commodities producer, has decided to raise prices for its products by as much as 10 percent in China. 

 As a result of soaring raw material costs, the company will raise the prices of Pampers, a disposable diaper brand and Whisper, a sanitary napkin brand, by 10 percent from the end of July, the spokesman said. Zhang said that the price rise was part of the company's strategy, previously announced to boost global prices by up to 16 percent in the middle of July.

However, industry insiders suggested said that the rise in materials was not the only factor that lead to the company's product price rise. They suggested that huge advertising expenses was also putting pressure on the company.

One of P&G's major competitors, Unilever, reportedly increased its Lux shampoo and soap by 6 percent, also OMO wash power by 10 to 12 percent, and Zhonghua toothpaste by 20 percent.