Interfax News Agency, Russia
July 25 2008

Yerevan Brandy boosts sales 24%

YEREVAN July 25

Yerevan Brandy Company (YBC)

increased sales by 24% to 4.2 million liters in the financial year
ended June 30, chief executive Cedric Retailleau said at a press
conference on Thursday.

He said the growth was driven by increased sales on traditional
markets and the company’s entry into new markets.

Sales in Russia, YBC’s biggest market, grew 29%, and sales were up 26%
in Ukraine, 55% in the Baltic countries, and 14% in Kazakhstan and
Armenia. Sales also increased in Germany, Poland and the Czech
Republic.

Retailleau said the company plans to start selling its Ararat brandy
in Vietnam, Mongolia, Turkmenistan and Australia.

YBC increased exports of expensive brandies in the period, with
exports of the Prazdnichny and Nairi brands, aged 15 years and 20
years respectively, growing 21%, he said.

YBC imports alcohol products from France’s Pernod Ricard, which owns
the company. The French group increased exports to Armenia by 40% in
the financial year, as exports of the Ballantines, Havana Club, Olmeca
and Beefeater brands rose by respectively 72%, 75%, 51% and 18%.

Pernod Ricard bought YBC in May 1998 for $30 million.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress