Company officials refrain from advancing forecasts, because estimates are presently pure speculations, said Emilian Dobrescu, the Austrian company’s general representative on the local market.
The company posted a 67 percent rise in net profit in 2008, to some €4.2 million and a 36 percent increase in net sales, to €163.5 mln, according to the financial report submitted to the Bucharest Stock Exchange.
“The first quarter of 2009 started out a bit slow, compared to the same period in 2008. Sales registered a level similar to that in 2008, considering the global crisis and the slowdown in consumption/production, which began to rise towards the end of this period,” Dobrescu told Business Standard.
“First, the increase in net sales in 2008 is due to the rise in the volume of sugar sold (almost 50,000 tons more compared to 2007), and the increase in the price of sugar (in lei). Focusing on products with high added value (hotels, restaurants, and catering, retail, specialized industry), continuing the brand’s growth strategy, partnerships with large store chains, supporting distributors, and cutting operating and logistics expenses have boosted profitability,” Dobrescu added.
