Romaqua expects the market shares of its products to remain steady or even increase

Cornelia Angelescu

Romaqua Group SA Borsec"s latest product, "Albacher" beer, has already reached a market share of 4.7%. Albacher beer is made in Sebeş-Alba, and comes in 0.5l, 1l, 2l, and 2,5l bottles. The brewery can output 1 million hl/year, being equipped with the most modern equipment in the world. The brand, like all our brands, is an internationally registered trademark", said Mihaela Drăghici, PR Manager of Romaqua Group SA Borsec.

The group"s consolidated turnover in 2008 was 478,239,843 lei, up 45% YOY. The main element that spurred this growth was the launch of the "Albacher" beer.

The brewing equipment process was imported from "Steineker", a leader in brewing equipment, owned by German company "Krones", that "Romaqua Group SA Borsec" has been working together cooperating with for the last 10 years.

The other products of the company grew as well in the first quarter of 2009. Mihaela Drăghici said: "Despite the 6% drop of the mineral water market, Romaqua"s sales of mineral water increased 12% over Q1 2008. We estimate mineral water sales will increase 15% this summer. Our three brands of mineral water include: "Borsec" still and sparkling mineral water, "Stânceni" naturally sparkling mineral water and "Aquatique" still natural mineral water with trace minerals".

Borsec leads the mineral water market, of which it holds 22%. The company"s goal is to preserve its top spot and increase its share of the market share to 24-25% in 2009. The "Stânceni" mineral water brand has a market share of 1%, with a view of reaching a 1.5% market share in 2009.

"These past few years, Romaqua has been promoting its brand abroad, by exporting a maximum of 1% of the mineral water it is producing, in countries such as USA, Canada, Italy, Greece, Germany, England, Hungary, Moldova, Egypt, Taiwan, Japan, Spain. Our main goal is to meet the demand of the domestic market ", said Mihaela Drăghici.

Romaqua"s portfolio includes the brands Giusto, Giusto Natura, Quick Cola and Lămâiţa. The company"s goal for 2009 is to keep its market share of the still drinks segment, where its Giusto Natura brand holds 32.4%.

Romaqua"s turnover for Q1 2009 remained relatively steady compared to Q1 2008, and the company remains the market leader for the still drinks market.

In closing, Mihaela Drăghici said: "When it comes to coffee, our output for Q1 2009 remained virtually unchanged YOY. However, we have lowered our output because we want to get the market ready for the face-lift of Metropolitan Caffe. The redesigning of the packaging, with the vertical positioning of the logotype, as well as a new coffee recipe will make for an interesting product re-launch".