Cotnari, the wine market''s fourth-largest player, posted 50% higher sales in Q1 as compared to the corresponding period of last year, mainly from dry wines, though its main brand is Grasa de Cotnari, a sweet wine.
"This year, we will invest almost one million euros to promote our brands and especially Grasa de Cotnari. The fact that the main growth drivers in the first three months were the dry wines has been a pleasant surprise for us," says Laurentiu Anghel.
Cotnari sold 2.2 million 0.75-litre wine bottles, worth 4.5 million euros. The company has recently raised prices by 15-20% and plans another 10-15% price hike this summer.
"We used to have the smallest prices on the market, as we had not raised them for two years. I think there is still room for price raises," maintains Anghel.
Over the last two years, the wine market has witnessed a permanent increase of the average price per 0.75-litre bottle, from 1.7 dollars in 2002 to 2.9 dollars last year.
Cotnari last year logged sales almost 45% higher, to 13 million euros, with estimates for this year pointing to similar sales.
Anghel also bases last year''s growth on the changes made in the company''s sales team.
Cotnari will this summer launch a new range of white wines, particularly for the HoReCa chain.
"Selection of white wines" will comprise Chateau Cotnari (dry), Blanc Cotnari (semidry), Grasa de Cotnari 2000 (sweet) and Busuioaca de Moldova (sweet).
The average price per one bottle of Cotnari revolves around 2-2.2 euros (70,000-80,000 ROL).
"We want to grow on HoReCa, where about 30-35% of our sales currently go, because this is where the big battle on the wine market will be waged," says Anghel.
Cotnari is present on the market with dry wines-Francusa de Cotnari, Chateau Cotnari, semidry - Blanc Cotnari, semisweet - Feteasca Alba, sweet - Grasa de Cotnari, Voievodal, and aromatic - Tamaioasa Romaneasca.
The company last year invested almost half a million euros in vineyards and equipment. Cotnari manages 11 vineyards with an area of 1,200 hectares. Another 150 hectares will start bearing fruit in the following years. Cotnari was privatised in 2000, and is now owned by natural persons.
stelian.negrea@zf.ro
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