For the first eleven months of 2005 Russian brewers produced about 82.26 million hl of beer, Russian Beer Union communicated on December 22. It is important to mention that during January-November 2004 Russia brewed about 77.9 million hl of beer with an increase of 12% year-on-year. Russian Beer Union forecast an increase in country’s beer output for 2006 at about 5-7%.

The Chairman of The Union Executive Committee, Vyacheslav Mamontov, commented: “In the second half of the year Russian brewers succeeded to influence positively the beer production trend, which was of only 3.7% in the first half of the year. That means the potential of the market is not yet exhausted. The increase is attributed manly to the marketing strategies of Russian companies and the launching of new brands in the market. Another positive contribution had the reforms of distribution system, performed by market makers.”

Bulgarian brewery, Zagorka A.D., announced on December 21 the appointment of a new general manager. Jan Derck van Karnebeek take up the new position January 1, 2006.

The former manager at Zagorka’s co-owner Heineken’s innovation department, Van Karnebeek will replace Dimitar Alexiev, who has been managing Heineken’s Slovak arm since last month.

“As a general manager of Zagorka I will focus my future activities on three major aspects: the management of a strong and balanced portfolio of profitable brands..., increasing of the efficiency and capacity of the distribution system, and reaching higher efficiency in production,” Jan Derck van Karnebeek said.

Due to a consistent brand policy, high quality of products and the strong commitment of our people, Zagorka Bulgaria has captured market share above 30 % and a leading position among Bulgaria’s most successful companies. The brewer has forecast pre-tax profits for this year of around EUR5m (US$5.9m), an increase of 39% on last year.

Heineken NV in cooperation with Coca-Cola HBC purchased Zagorka shares in 1994. In 1997 both companies also acquired a majority stake from Ariana Brewery in Sofia. Today, the company has reached a market leader position in the Bulgarian beer market. The company is ISO 9000:2000 certified.

Up to the moment winter barley crops in Ukraine have not shot out on 4.8 percent of the planted area (25,000 hectares); 36 percent of the crops (189,200 hectares) is in weak condition, Agrarian Policy Ministry's press-service reported with reference to the monitoring results of December 15, according to AgriMarket.Info’s statement from December 22.

Twenty three percent of the plantings is in good condition (120,700 hectares) and about 36 percent (189,000 hectares) - in fair one.

According to State Statistics Committee, the winter barley area in Ukraine for the 2006 crop has totalled 538,700 hectares (last year - 477,600 hectares).