British American Tobacco (BAT) cigarette producer registered a turnover of RON 1.45 billion (some €439 million) in the first half of 2007 (H1), 40 percent higher year-on-year.
With a volume of 36 billion cigarettes in 2006, worth €1.4 billion, the Romanian cigarette market could increase to €1.7 billion. Main players on the domestic market are BAT, Philip Morris, JTI and Gallaher. BAT has a 39.3 percent market share, according to the company. Company officials estimate 18 percent more business this year, with the value reaching some €664 million, owing to a rise in excise taxes and sales, Corporate&Regulatory Affairs Director of BAT Romania, Adrian Popa, told Business Standard. BAT's turnover for 2006 reached some €561 million, 30 percent higher than the previous year. The company paid some RON 1.06 billion (€321.2 million) in excise tax into the state budget in H1 2007, 45 percent more year-on-year. British American Tobacco has been present on the Romanian market since 1994. In 1997 the company opened a factory in Ploiesti, with its production being sold on the domestic market and to various European and Middle Eastern countries. BAT is the second-largest international cigarette producer, owner of brands such as Lucky Strike, Kent, Dunhill and Pall Mall. The company employs some 55,000 people worlwide, and produces an annual 650 billion cigarettes in 52 factories in 44 countries.
