Murfatlar, one of leading producers in the wine industry, posted turnover worth around 10 million euros in the first three months of this year, up around 20% on the same time last year.
"The increase was the result of (rising) consumption and our entry onto new market segments, with the wine brands Conu Alecu and Babanu. The majority of products have seen increases, but the highest increases were generated by the Zestrea Murfatlar range, especially by red wines, with an around 25% increase compared with the same time last year," said Daniel Negrescu, Murfatlar brand manager.
Murfatlar closed last year with turnover worth 42 million euros, in line with initial estimates, while this year's target stands at 50 million euros.
The brands with the highest sales in 2007 were Zestrea Murfatlar, Lacrima lui Ovidiu, Zaraza, 3 hectare, Sec de Murfatlar, Babanu and Premiat.
"We saw significant increases both on the premium and the super premium segment. The super premium segment includes Ferma Noua, Lacrima lui Ovidiu, Arezan and Rai Grande Reserve. We plan to launch new premium products, with a new product being Bitter Mamaia", added Negrescu.
The producer is also present on foreign markets such as the US, China, Israel, Finland, Germany and the UK. Murfatlar holds around 3,000 hectares of vineyard in the Basarabi, Valul lui Traian, Poarta Alba, Siminoc and Valea Dacilor areas, with investments worth 2.4 million euros scheduled for this year, which will go into replanting 220 ha of vineyard.
The wine market is estimated at over 450 million euros, with the main producers being Murfatlar, Vincon, Cotnari and Jidvei. Bottled wine consumption amounts to around 3 litres per capita in Romania, while in France, the level stands at 59 litres per capita, and 47 litres in Spain. Last year, was marked by Romania's accession to the single market, how
