If it manages to achieve its target, Agricola will reach EUR130 million in turnover, according to ZF estimates.
“Our target is a 10% growth at group level for this year. For poultry meat, the target is 13% and 10% on average for the other segments,” said Agricola Bacau president Grigore Horoi. He said the growth will come from exports as well as from sales on the local market, where Agricola will probably gain market share from other competitors on a declining market.
Although they budgeted a turnover increase for this year, Agricola managers do not consider hiring new employees over the coming period after the company laid off 130 employees last year. “We will not hire many employees this year, only for the retail chain, as the store network expands.”
The staff cuts in the second half of 2011 came after Agricola Bacau laid off 350 employees in 2009. The company reported 1,600 employees on its payroll in 2010.
But this year the company plans to open 14 new stores, which will employ a total of around 40-50 people.
The expansion of the retail chain is part of a plan to open 100 small stores by the end of next year. Agricola currently has around 70 stores.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)