La Festa plans exports to the Balkans

La Festa Romania, a branch of Polish food group Maspex, is planning to make Romania the launch pad for its exports to the Balkans following an investment of around 20 million euros in a 500-employee strong plant in Valenii de Munte, Prahova.

Company representatives have shown, however, that for certain products the customs duties in Balkan countries place the company in an unfavourable position.

“The development of exports is one of our main targets for 2005. But we are waiting for a decrease in customs duties between Balkan states that should help us achieve this goal. Our plant is very close to Bulgaria, but imports from Polish plants are more profitable for Bulgarians due to the lower customs duties. Many food products exported from Romania to Bulgaria carry higher customs duties than products from the European Union,” explained Krzysztof Grabowski, chairman of La Festa Romania.

The company currently exports from Romania to Bulgaria, Moldova, Croatia and Hungary. It also has plans for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Grabowski added that the customs duties between Romania and the Balkan states have not changed, whereas customs duties for Poland went down after it joined the EU.

La Festa is one of the largest Polish investments in Romania.

While initially most products sold in Romania were imported, now almost all brands are produced locally: Tedi, Duo Fruo, Ciao and Carotella natural juices, hot chocolate, cappuccino and “3 in 1”, Ekoland and Lemona teas, Brumi granulated cocoa, Van powder cocoa and Coffeeta creamer for coffee.
georgiana.stavarache@zf.ro