However, new wine launches are expected after investments from European money have been made, with the wine sector being the only one to fully attract the European funds made available.
“In 2013 we expect a market contraction against 2012 because of the purchasing power decline as well as because of the instability of market mechanisms, along the distribution, logistics chain, because of insolvencies, bankruptcies,” says Gabriel Roceanu, general manager of Carl Reh Winery SRL.
Carl Reh Winery, the local subsidiary of German company Carl Reh, is known on the Romanian market mainly through Detaliu, La Cetate and Val Duna wines, and in 2009 brought its brands together under the Crama Oprisor umbrella.
In 2011 Carl Reh Winery had a turnover of 15.2 million lei (EUR3.5 million), according to Finance Ministry data.
The wine market is estimated at EUR350 million, according to the latest estimates of the National Vine and Wine Owners’ Association and companies say the market has been difficult in the past few years, as competition has increased while demand has been low.
“Unfortunately the economy did not keep up last year’s trend, which announced a tentative recovery. But pressure from winter-specific spending was quite significant and this was seen in first-quarter consumption,” said Daniel Negrescu, Murfatlar brand manager. He believes there are premises for an increase in consumption in 2013.
The vine and wine sector attracted European funds of over EUR166 million between 2007 and 2011, with the amounts available being fully absorbed.
“Major investments in grape processing are ongoing. Wine makers have to find a market for the wines they produced in 2011 and 2012, so they will seek to develop new concepts/brands,” Roceanu says.
Romania has around 180,000-200,000 ha of vine and is among the world’s major wine producers. Most of the wine produced in Romania is consumed domestically. The largest wine producers include Murfatlar, Vincon, Jidvei, Cotnari, Tohani, Halewood.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)