PET-bottled beer boosts sales of multinationals

Constantin Bratu, general manager of the Romanian Brewers Association says that leading multinational players sold 16% more PET-bottled beer in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period of 2005. “This trend can be explained by PET bottles growing increasingly popular, but in fact things are more complex than that. Actually, beer has become a traditional drink, which is to be found on Romanians” tables for all festive occasions, especially for holidays,” stated Constantin Bratu, general manager of “Romanian Brewers”. The Romanian Brewers” Association, which accounts for 70% of the beer market and is made up of Brau Union, Interbrew, URBB and Ursus Breweries, announced a 16% increase in sales for the first quarter of this year, against the same period of 2005. The four companies sold over 1.8 million hectolitres of beer during the first few months of the year, with the peak in sales being achieved in February, a 28% increase against February 2005. ZF