The Russian beer market grew as much as 9 percent in 2006.
Photo: Nikita Infantyev
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Warm December Whips Up Beer Sales
The year 2006 was extremely profitable for the Russian beer market. The shortage of strong alcoholic drinks in shops boosted beer sales in the first eight months. Later on, a warm winter came to help brewers as sales in December were 10 to 20 percent higher than planned. The total growth of the Russian beer market was 9 percent, some 3 percent more than forecasted.
The success in the industry in 2006 was evident as early as in fall when the data on the January-September beer production was released, showing the output of 770 million decaliters and an 8.6 percent rise, compared to the figures in 2005. At that time, analysts attributed the growth to the absence of strong alcoholic drinks in July and August.
The unseasonably warm winter came as a good surprise for brewers and distributors last year, exceeding forecasted sales for December and January by 10 to 20 percent.
A surprising surge in sales could boost the total growth of the beer market, experts say. The data on the sales volume for 2006 are due to be released in early February and will show the impact of warm weather in December on the market. “If the 10-20 percent rise that is being discussed will prove to be a true result, the total annual growth will gain extra 0.5-1 percent,” Andrey Sterlin, director general of Biznes Analitika, told Kommersant. The beer market added some 9 percent in 2006, according to Sun Interbrew.
The forecast for 2007 is 5 percent despite the booming 2006, experts estimate.
www.kommersant.com
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