OREANDA-NEWS. On 24 June 2008 the Russian Federation Ministry of Economic Development and Trade announced the results of an annual competition: for the seventh year in a row, Baltika Breweries was named ‘Best Russian Exporter’ in the category ‘Best Exporter of the Sector.’

Baltika Breweries products account for more than 70% of all Russian beer exports. At the end of Q1 2008, the Company’s export sales exceeded 4 million dal. Taking into account licensed production in Ukraine and Great Britain, the growth of sales abroad amounted to 20% compared to Q1 of the preceding year.

More than 80% of the Company’s products sold abroad come under the Baltika brand, which has been recognised as the most promising worldwide brand (in an evaluation by the research company Millward Brown Optimor).

Baltika is successfully developing its export activities, licensed production and purchase of assets abroad. In the current year, Uzbekistan has been added to the list of countries where Baltika beer is being produced under license. In May 2008, Baltika Breweries signed a contract for the purchase of a brewery in Azerbaijan. Having a production facility in Trans-Caucasia will allow Baltika to reduce logistical expenses and, consequently, to develop new export routes.

Today Baltika delivers its products to 50 countries abroad, both near and far, including the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, China, North Korea and Japan. It has subsidiary companies in Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzia, Moldova and Germany to provide support to export sales, and there are representative offices in China, Latvia and Uzbekistan.

Baltika Breweries is the largest FMCG producer in Russia. Ever since 1996, it has been the leader on the Russian beer market. The Company comprises 11 breweries across all of Russia. It has a broad portfolio of brands and more than 12,000 employees. Baltika Breweries is the leading exporter of Russian beer to countries both near and far: it accounts for 70% of all export shipments of Russian beer. Baltika products are exported to 50 countries around the world.