Meat producer Cris-Tim has announced that its turnover for last year overshot the one million euro threshold for the first time, 30% up on 2003 and allowing it to retain the leading position on the market.
"The increase came from the development of our production facilities and distribution system. Late last year we witnessed spectacular sales, even 50% higher in December in supermarket chains. This is the first time we've seen such an increase," said Radu Timis, Cris-Tim chairman and majority stockholder.
Timis believes the new government should make elimination of the black market its main priority, something the industry itself has not been able to do.
"Data from the Romanian Meat Association show that the black market last year accounted for about 70% of the industry. I am worried because eradication of the black market has not come up for discussion; though, on the other hand, introduction of the 16% flat tax will encourage many to no longer take risks and move into the legal side of the trade," explained Timis.
Cris-Tim estimates its turnover for this year will exceed 125 million euros, representing a 25% increase.
Timis explained that the company was planning to invest in modernisation and expansion of its production facilities this year, but was unwilling to specify the value of the investments.
Last year, Cris-Tim integrated its production cycle, which includes all stages - from cultivation of the land to the sale of meat products. It cultivated 1,000 hectares of land (an area which will double this year) and will increase its grain storage capacity from the current 1,500 tonnes to 4,500 tonnes and set up a fodder plant.
Cris-Tim recently finished its construction of animal shelters, which it began to populate with 15,000 pigs last year (a number to be doubled this year), and set up its own slaughterhouse.
"As a result of these investments, we will be raising the animals, slaughtering and packaging them, and making meat products, which we will distribute through our own stores," said Timis.
The company will follow the same procedure for its milk production. Cris-Tim owns a cow farm in Boldesti Scaeni and is to set up its own milk plant with a capacity of 5,000-6,000 litres of milk per day. The company will soon sell milk on the market under its own brand.
stelian.negrea@zf.ro
Pentru alte știri, analize, articole și informații din business în timp real urmărește Ziarul Financiar pe WhatsApp Channels
