“Beer volume in Romania declined in the high-single digits with performance adversely impacted by continued consumer weakness, increased competitive intensity and unfavorable weather conditions in the second quarter,” Heineken said in its financial report.
For central and eastern Europe, the brewer reported a 4.2% decrease in volume sales to 22.7 million hectoliters of beer, from 23.7 million hectoliters in the first half of 2013.
Consolidated revenue declined by 2.3% organically, with lower consolidated total volume of 5% only partly offset by a 2.7% increase in revenue per hectoliter.
“Lower profit in Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Greece was only partly offset by improved profitability in Russia, Austria and Croatia,” Heineken said.
Group-wide, beer volume rose 3.1% year-on-year to 96.6 million hectoliters in the first half, reflecting successful marketing programs, increased innovation and strengthened sales execution.
Volume performance also benefited from favorable weather and the football World Cup against a soft comparable prior year period, the brewer said.
Heineken reported a net profit of EUR772 million, up from EUR679 million in the first six months of 2013. The figure refers to financials before exceptional items and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles.
Heineken owns four breweries in Romania and employs more than 1,000 people.