Mineral water hit by bad weather

Because of the cool weather, the mineral water market plunged 10% in the first half of the year -the first time in the past ten years.

Estimated at one billion litres annually or 250 million euros, the Romanian mineral water market is highly weather-sensitive, together with other sectors, such as beer, ice cream and air conditioned.

The main players – Coca-Cola (with its Dorna brand), European Drinks (Izvorul Minunilor), Romaqua (Borsec) and Perla Harghitei (Perla Harghitei) – admit that the market has been indeed hit by the weather and some even say that the losses will not be offset by the end of the year.

According to data issued by the National Society of Mineral Waters (SNAM), the volume of bottled mineral water in the first half stood at 416 million litres, down from the 472 million litres bottled in the corresponding period last year. This accounts for an over 12% drop.

The H1 statistics from the market research company Canadean also point to an overall decrease on the soft drinks market.

The decline in mineral water, however, is the most visible, according to Canadean data. Company officials say that all of the big bottlers recorded decreases in the first half.

This declining mineral water consumption comes after significant investments in this sector, as mineral water has so far been one of the most dynamic categories on the refreshing drinks market.

Full-year estimates point to stagnation or, at best, to growth of several percentage points, according to industry officials. They are mainly counting on the possible recovery in July, when the weather was warmer.
georgiana.stavarache@zf.ro