SALES OF YEREVAN BRANDY COMPANY UP 8% IN FIST HALF YEAR OF FY 2008-2009
ArmInfo
2009-01-22 16:14:00
ArmInfo. In the first half year (1 July – 31 December) of FY 2008-2009,
the sales of the Yerevan Brandy Company (YBC) increased by 8% as
compared with the same period of the previous year and totalled 2,6
mln liters of brandy, Pernod Ricard Eastern Europe Executive Officer
Eric Labord said at a press-conference in Yerevan, Thursday.
He said the sales growth was achieved in conditions of the global
economic crisis, and this result satisfies the leadership of Pernod
Ricard. The sales growth is connected with the successful promotion
of Ararat brand in traditional markets, Labord said. Thus, in the
year under review sales in Russia grew by 14% to 1.9 mln liters, in
Armenia – by 4% to 218 thsd liters, in Baltic countries – by 16%. He
added that sales are also increasing in comparatively new markets;
the matter concerns Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic.
Eric Labord said YBC annually invests about $5 mln in improvement of
production and technology processes, therefore the Ararat brand is
considered one of the leading brands in the world brandy market. In the
first half year of FY 2008-2009 investment in production and technology
amounted to $2 mln. In addition, YBC annually invests about $15 mln
in purchase of grapes and replenishment of spirit reserves.
The newly-appointed Director General of YBC Ara Grigoryan expressed
hope that the global crisis will not affect the volumes of brandy
consumption.
"Some people may prefer cheaper brands of brandy, however, I don’t
think the fans of this drink will prefer beer to brandy",- he said.
To recall, the YBC sales in FY 2007-2008 (1 July – 30 June) grew by 24%
to 4,2 mln liters as compared with the previous fiscal year. YBC was
privatized in May 1998 by the French group Pernod Ricard for $30 mln.