OREANDA-NEWS. October 01, 2010. Baltika brewery plans to supply about 6 million decaliters of beer to Belarus in 2010, Deputy Director for Export Sales in the CIS of Russian JSC Brewing company Baltika Yanina Mashkova said in an.

“In 2009, Baltika imported 5.8 million decaliters of beer in Belarus, and this year, we plan to import 6 million decaliters,” she said.

“The Belarusian beer market has grown 2% recently, according to our estimates, but it is roughly at last year’s level. In the first half of the year, Baltika sales increased 2% on the year, and sale proceeds rose 3%. This performance meets the objectives of Baltika strategy in Belarus,” she said.

Mashkova does not think the beer market will shrink. “We do not expect substantial expansion, either; we assume last year’s level will remain in 2010.”

According to her, Baltika invested USD 2 million in the Belarusian market in 2009, mostly in outdoor retail outlets and equipment for points of sale.

Baltika transferred 300 million Russian rubles of excise payments and VAT to the Belarusian budget in 2009. The company procured granulated plastic, bottles, twist-off and crown caps from Belarusian producers worth 400 million Russian rubles last year.

“Baltika has a solid position in Belarus: we are represented in the premium segment, which is our key niche, and which keeps growing. We are also actively growing in the horeca segment,” she said.

Mashkova admitted that the quality of Belarusian beer was improving, hence an increase in sales on the domestic market and growing exports to Russia.

“The success of product promotion depends only on the quality of beer, which is why we observe a growth in exports to Russia,” she said.

The company is sometimes faced with problems with Baltika sales in Belarus, however, they are resolved in the regular course of business. “We are looking at our prospects in Belarus with optimism,” she noted.

Mashkova believes the Customs Union with Russia and Kazakhstan will strengthen cooperation on our markets. “We expect no global changes, however, we are certain the Customs Union will facilitate more dynamic export and import operations,” she said.

Baltika has imported beer in Belarus since 2000. The company accounts for about 11% of the Belarusian beer market.