„Soft drinks saw a mid-single-digit increase (nearly 5%), due to strong marketing campaigns, the launch of Coca-Cola Lime and the new Coca-Cola Zero formula. Water sales volumes rose by less than 5% (low single digits) and the fruit juice category saw a marginal decline. RTD (ready-to-drink) tea sales volumes (Nestea, ed.n.) grew by high single digit (7-9% ed.n.), due to strong promotions and the launch of a new type of product”, the report reads.
Romania contributed to the 1.9% increase in sales volumes of Coca-Cola HBC in emerging countries, along with Ukraine and Serbia. Emerging countries for Coca-Cola HBC also include Russia, Armenia, Bulgaria, Moldova and Nigeria. Overall, the group’s sales in emerging countries reached 533 million unit cases, which translates into nearly 3.1 billion liters of beverages. In terms of value, Coca-Cola HBC sales in emerging countries stood at EUR1.45 billion, up 9.8% from the first half of 2016.
Overall, Coca-Cola HBC group registered sales volumes of over 1 billion unit cases and sales revenue of EUR3.2 billion in the first half of 2017, the report also reads.
Coca-Cola HBC operates in 28 countries and is controlled by Kar-Tess Holding (23.3% of the shares), which is held by the David-Leventis Family and The Coca-Cola Company (with a 23.2% stake).