Alcohol, Latvia, Markets and Companies

The total sales volume of Cesu alus has grown from 30 million liters to 31 million liters, which means one% increase on the results of the first six months of last year. The company has succeeded in improving its overall financial results thanks to a number of optimization plans that it implemented, including reducing costs of logistics and production.

"Taking in consideration the current economic situation in the country and customers' reduced purchasing capacity, the first half year results at Cesu alus brewery can be assessed as very good," sales and marketing manager at Cesu alus Gustavs Zatlers points out.

Zatlers informs that the brewery invested EUR 10 million in the company last year to boost production efficiency, which allowed to increase production capacity and sales volume, thus saving the company from having to lay off employees or reduce salaries.

Over the first six months of this year, Cesu alus held approximately 29% of the total beer market in Latvia, according to "The Nielsen Company's" data, or by three% more than a year earlier.

Last year Cesu alus turnover increased 15%, compared with 2007, reaching LVL 27.3 million. The company concluded the year 2008 with LVL 138,000 losses. Last year Cesu alus sold 55.3 million liters of beverages in the Latvian market.

Cesu alus produces beer, alcoholic cocktails, cider, energy drinks, drinking water, juices, juice drinks and soft drinks.