The cost of soft drinks and bottled mineral water will be left at the mercy of market forces after the government yesterday admitted defeat in its battle to maintain recommended retail prices for the products.

Deputy Development Minister Yiannis Papathanassiou said that as of September, the government would begin doing away with the suggested prices that are currently displayed on the labels.

The ministry’s decision comes after a ruling by the Council of State, Greece’s highest administrative court, last month which found that forcing beverage companies to stamp the prices on their products before they hit the market was illegal because it was anti-competitive.

The ministry will still set the price for nine products, including bottled water and coffee, in niche markets such as the canteens of ferries and archaeological sites.