Orbites producer sees 15% sales increase

Wrigley Romania, one of the biggest players on the local sweets market, last year witnessed an over 15% sales increase, to a value estimated at 60 million dollars (48 million euros), while the volume of sales increased by almost 20% against the figure for 2005. Against the development of the whole sweets market, Wrigley representatives estimate a 15-20% increase in financial results for this year. Based on this rate of growth, the turnover of the producer that makes the Orbit chewing gum could exceed 57 million euros. Wrigley closed last year with a 75% market share in terms of value, according to data provided by the company, which cites studies conducted by AC Nielsen. This market share was achieved on the chewing gum, boiled sweets, mints and jellied sweets segments, while chocolates and biscuits were excluded from the calculation. Wrigley representatives estimate the local sweets market (chocolate and biscuit sectors excluded) amounts to 380 million RON (112.1 million euros), with the annual growth rate exceeding 10%, according to players in the industry. At the end of 2006, Wrigley held a 94% market share in the chewing gum sector (with the Orbit, Airwaves, Winterfresh and Hubba Bubba brands) and 31% of the whole market sector (with the Orbit Drops, Solano, Juicy Fruit and Winterfresh Mints brands) according to information provided by the company.