Romania: Ursus Breweries forecasts positive growth for the nation’s beer market

Stephan Maria Weber, Romania’s Ursus Breweries president, forecasts that the nation’s per capita beer consumption will increase from 89 litres registered in 2007 to 111 litres in 2013, Magazinul Progresiv communicated on October, 10.

According to the CEO, Romania’s beer market will keep its leading position in the category of alcoholic beverages. The country’s beer market grew by 21.7% in 2007 versus 2006 results.

As for sales, Ursus estimates that this year will see an increased sales volume of beer on tap – from 10% demonstrated in 2007 to 12% in 2008. Bottled beer will gain a 38% market share in 2008, compared to the 44% market share in 2007. Polyethylene bottled beer will grow from 41% (2007) to a 47% market share.

The Romanian brewery also does not rule out that the sales volume of polyethylene bottled beer may grow by up to 50%. A small decline is forecast for beer in returnable glass bottles due to the modern trade evolution.

Ursus Breweries makes part of the SABMiller Group and in terms of volume holds a market share of 24.5% in the Romanian market. The brewer’s annual production capacity is 6.3 mln hl.

15 October, 2008