Martens' growth slows down

Martens Galati, one of the main independent brewers on the domestic market posted 6% higher sales in the first five months of the year compared with the same time in 2007. The results, however, reveal a slowdown of the annual growth rate compared with the first quarter of this year, when it posted an 18% increase against the corresponding period last year. “With the increase in prices and costs, consumers are giving up beer and buying basic foods instead. This is a trend reflected across the whole of Europe, and is now present here, as well,” stated Vasile Joanta, general manager of Martens. The producer is present on the shelves of XXL, Plus, Billa and Kaufland with such brands as Premium Senior, Damburger, Faleza, Kanzel, Driver, Postavaru, Cozia, Steiner, Ma Donna, Altus and Soveja. It covers Moldova, Dolj and Olt counties and part of the Romanian Plain with its own distribution operations.