Wawel enters the Romanian premium chocolate market

The Polish company Wawel, one of the most renowned chocolate producers, will enter the Romanian market with a wide range of premium products, including the widest range of sugar-free products. "For 2009, we intend to enter most of the retail and cash & carry networks, as well as all the relevant stores found in cities with more than 10000 inhabitants, all across Romania", says Narcis Costache, Wawel Romania Country Manager.

Concerning the Romanian chocolate market, the company"s experts consider it will continue to grow 15-20% next year, compared to the 300 million Euros retail turnover estimated for 2008.

Wawel"s products are currently carried by over 200 stores in Bucharest and in 10 other counties across the country. In Romania, the company cooperates with two import and distribution companies, Sitel Group and Rocon Distribution 2000.

In December, Wawel will open a chocolate -coffee shop outlet at Fashion House Outlet on the Bucureşti-Piteşti highway, which will feature all their products at special prices.

Wawel is a market leader within the Hosta International AG group, a multinational group headquartered in Switzerland, which includes the companies Dorste (Holland), Dulcinea (Spain), Hosta Italia, Hosta GmbH (Germany).

Currently, Wawel has outlets in Europe, Asia, Middle East and North America. The company"s 2007 turnover was 100 million dollars, and for 2008 it estimates a 110 million dollars turnover, which represents a 10 percent annual growth.

Wawel is the first producer to enter the Romanian chocolate market with premium chocolate products priced somewhere between standard and premium products" prices. Also, Wavel plans to be the first to bring to Romania dark chocolate with 90% cocoa. In addition, Wawel is the first producer to bring to market chocolate products featuring vegetable ingredients exclusively. For 2009, Wawel has forecasted gaining at least 1% of the Romanian chocolate market, the equivalent of 8-10% of the premium chocolate market. From a turnover point of view, at retail prices, the target would mean a 2.5-3 million Euros turnover.

In 2006, the company has opened the most modern chocolate factory in Europe, with 24 production lines. The controlled temperature warehouses have a storage capacity of over 4000 pallets, the equivalent of 800 tons of products. The company"s turnover for 2007, was 100 million dollars, and the 2008 forecast estimates a 110 million dollar turnover, which means a 10% annual growth, which speaks for itself considering the fact that Wawel generally operates on mature markets, where the company is very well positioned.