URBB produces Tuborg and Carlsberg, as well as mineral water Bilbor and Granini juices.
“High consumption was helped by this summer’s sporting competitions, as well as by (…) the long hot summer,” said Roccos Cosmatos.
A ZF analysis based on data from the National Statistics Institute (INS) shows that beer sales rose 6.8% in the first eight months of the year against the similar period of 2011, these being the first signs of revival after two years of decline and one of stagnation.
URBB is one of the largest beer producers on the Romanian market with a turnover of 293.2 million lei (EUR64 million), a profit of RON4 million (around EUR0.9 million) and 306 employees last year, according to information on the website of the Finance Ministry.
Start of mandate
Roccos Cosmatos took over in September, replacing Doron Zilberstein, who ended his term.
“Taking on as marketing vice-president is complex, so I started work back in May. I was officially appointed in September, Roccos Cosmatos also said.
He has lived in Romania for 15 years and has experience in strategy, marketing, business development, financial planning and sales on emerging markets such as Romania, Malaysia and Bulgaria.
“The Romanian market is mature and competitive on most segments,” Roccos Cosmatos also said.
Special beers segment is rising
The new head of marketing of URBB says on this market there periods where significant amounts are consumed such as religious holidays, summer holidays and sporting competitions. According to ZF calculations this summer (June- August) beer sales rose by 11.2% against the similar period of 2011.
“The premium segment and the segment of beer specialties had very good evolutions in the past two years. For instance Guinness and Holsten Weizen managed to attract more consumers and so did beer specialties Kronenbourg 1664, Grimbergen Blonde and Double (…),” Roccos Cosmatos also said.
A ZF analysis of this summer’s sales shows that the niche of flavored beers (special beers) could double in volume this year, following the trend of larger markets.
Cosmatos says the overall evolution of the beer market will depend on “external factors” such as the economic context, fiscal stability, purchasing power and good weather.
“We hope 2012 will end on the same positive trend recorded in the first nine months.”
According to previous information, URBB’s turnover was slightly up in the first six months of this year against the similar period of last year.
URBB is one of the leading beer producers on the Romanian market.
The largest players on the local beer market are Ursus, Heineken, Bergenbier and URBB.
The latest beer maker to announce results is SABMiller (owner of Ursus Breweries). The volume of beer sales of SABMiller in Romania went up 25% in the first half of the company’s fiscal year, April-September.
Annual beer consumption in Romania is 17 million hl of beer, with the industry worth around EUR1.7 billion. (EUR1= RON4.5757)
(English version by Daniela Stoican)