Ukraine: Sarmat brewing group is to increase by 25% its beer sales in 2005

By the end of this year Sarmat brewing group plans to increase its beer sales by 25% up to 286 million litres. In May 2005 Sarmat increased beer production by 25.4% to 30.64 million litres compared to May 2004. In May this year the company increased its beer sales by 24.5% up to 30.59 million litres year-on-year.

Sarmat said the increase it attributed to the launch of new brands like Ale, Dnipro Bile. In May this year the market share of Sarmat brand was of 9%, TM Dnipro - 2.7%.

In January-May 2005 Sarmat brewing group increased beer production by 14.7% or with 12.51 million litres compared to the same period last year. Beer sales of Sarmat were up by 15% in January-May this year or with 12.7 million litres year-on-year.

Sarmat group is the fourth largest brewery in Ukraine. In 2004 the company controlled 13% of the beer market. Sarmat owns five breweries: OAO Lugansk brewery, OAO Crimea brewery, ZAO Dnipro brewery, ZAO Poltavpivo and a brewery in Donetsk. 99% of the shares of ZAO Sarmat is owned by “SKM” company.