The Romaqua Group, producer of mineral water Borsec and of Giusto juices, posted around 100 million euros in sales in the first eight months of the year, a value similar to that reported for the whole of 2007.

"We achieved 92% of the 2007 production in the first eight months of this year and expect a 35-40% increase in volume in 2008, against last year," said Mihaela Draghici, PR Manager of Romaqua Group.

According to company estimates, sales will go up 50% in 2008 compared with 2007. This would bring the group's turnover to 150 million euros by the end of 2008.

Romaqua's sales increase comes amid a rise in mineral water and juice sales, as well as a result of the producer's entry onto the beer market with the Albacher brand. At the end of June, the company inaugurated its first beer plant, located near Sebes (Alba county), following an around 40 million-euro investment.

The project was partially funded via 30 million euros in credit from the BCR bank. This year, the group's shareholders approved the outsourcing of two credits, worth a total of 75.5 million euros, from the BCR to Erste Bank Vienna, the Romanian bank's majority shareholder.

According to previous statements from group representatives, Romaqua targets a 4-5% market share in the first year since Albacher's launch. Shareholders could increase investments in the Alba-based plant to up to 60 million euros, and do not rule out the possibility of producing juice in the plant within the next few years.

Romaqua's portfolio also includes mineral water brands Borsec, Stanceni, Aquatique, and soft drinks Giusto, Quick Cola, Brifcor and Metropolitan coffee. The group's main rivals on the soft drinks market, estimated at over one billion euros, are Coca-Cola, Pepsi and European Drinks.

Borsec brought the Romaqua group to the top position on the local mineral waters market, on