“The sales volume rose in Poland, Russia and Romania, where we are continuing investments to increase production capacities,” according to the group’s Chief Financial Officer, Malcom Wyman. The growth in Romania was due especially to the Timisoreana brand, which registered a 43 percent increase in sales volume and 51 percent in terms of value.
At a group level, SABMiller sales rose 6 percent year-on-year, up to 288 million hectoliters, while income increased 15 percent, to $21.41 billion.
According to the group’s financial report, the Romanian market rose 9 percent in volume, fueled by a higher purchasing power of the population.
The local beer market exceeded €1 billion last year and is expected to grow 5 percent in 2008. SABMiller’s main competitors are Heineken, Ursus Breweries, InBev, URBB and European Foods.
