The spirits division of the Alexandrion group, which holds a 90% share of the brandy market, posted 40 million-euro turnover in the first nine months of this year.
"This means a slight increase against the same period in 2006, which we expected to see once Romania entered the EU," said Nawaf Salameh, president and majority shareholder of Alexandrion Group.
According to estimates made at the beginning of this year, company officials anticipated a 20% rise in turnover for the spirits division, amid an increase in exports to the UK, Italy and Russia. Considering the growth rate estimated by the company, Alexandrion's spirits division is expected to register an approximately 60 million-euro turnover at the end of this year, against 50 million euros in 2006.
The portfolio of the Alexandrion group has also been enriched this year, after the group signed a partnership with Italian spirits producer Fratelli Branca.
"The company's development strategy targets both securing new markets for our products and obtaining the status of sole importer for internationally established brands. The new agreement with the Italian company Fratelli Branca is the most recent example illustrating our strategy of tapping into international markets," explained Salameh.
As a result of the partnership, Alexandrion will sell products including Branca Menta liqueur, Camparo, Punt e Mes, Antica Formula vermouths, Cafe Borghetti and Sambuca Borghetti coffee liqueurs, and Grape, a typically Italian drink based on distilled wine.
"All Fratelli Branca products are currently present on the Romanian market, though still in a burgeoning stage. We are testing the market and we are collecting information, which we will analyse. Only afterwards will we devise an appropriate strategy, as it happens with all our businesses," added Salameh.
The spirits division of the Ale
