Romania remains second-largest emerging market for Coca-Cola HBC, in spite of slower sales growth

Positive results in Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Nigeria significantly contributed to the sales increase in emerging countries, according to the company’s annual report. However, the operating profit on emerging markets was impacted by exchange rate variations.

 

Coca-Cola HBC is the second-largest Coca-Cola bottler worldwide. Last year, it posted operating profit worth €285 million on emerging markets, Romania included, 4 percent lower year-on-year.

 

“Large volumes and price hikes were cancelled by higher expenses and unfavorable exchange rate variations,” said company representatives. In Romania, the average leu/euro exchange rate in 2008 rose 10.4 percent year-on-year.