Halewood Romania increases wine imports

Mihai Chitic, Commercial Manager of Halewood Romania, said that he is hesitant to advance a higher percentage of growth as he is expecting the “inflation process to be felt by wine producers in two-three months,” and the company is mainly concerned with reducing prices.

The export of wines made up for some 48 percent of Halewood Romania’s turnover in 2007, against an increase in imports of up to 7 percent.

According to data from the Association of Wine Producers and Exporters (APEV), Halewood is Romania’s main wine exporter, with 25 percent of total exports. Its principal external destination is the United Kingdom, with one quarter of the company’s total exports. Currently, exports make up for 62 percent of wine production.

Chitic says that local deliveries have increased lately. Imports could reach €1 mln of Halewood’s business in 2008, according to estimates made by the company’s management.

The company exploits over 300 hectares of vineyard in the most important wine-growing regions: Dealu Mare (red wines), Transilvania plateau (white wines) and Murfatlar in Constanta County.