Bermas profits soar

Beer company Bermas Suceava last year posted significantly better results, despite the market slowdown and the strong competition from international groups. Bermas turnover increased 30% in nominal terms, from 214.92bn ROL to 278.08bn ROL, with net profit worth 32.5bn ROL, up 67% since the previous year. Bermas sells its entire output on the domestic market, where inflation amounted to 17.8% last year. Bermas also increased its market share from 2.8% to 3.1%. The company's sales were 10.5% bigger in quantity, up to 350,976 hectolitres, although the total beer market only grew 1.7% in 2002. ZF