Latvijas balzams                                                     26.10.2005



A/s “Latvijas balzams” wins a competition organised by Norway



September this year a/s “Latvijas balzams” has started supply of vodka to the 

monopoly of the Norwegian state “Vinmonopolet”. It has been achieved, as the 

company has won a competition organized by the Norwegian public authorities, 

where 40 producers participated from different states. In the competition 92 

kinds of vodkas were offered to organizers. The offer of a/s “Latvijas balzams” 

was considered to be the best. A long-term cooperation contract was signed and 

the company professionals elaborated a prescription. Together with the customer 

a brand was established and the producing of a/s “Latvijas balzams” vodka was 

started. 



Victory in such a competition is considered to be very important, as trading 

of alcohol in Norway is a state monopoly. The only alcohol trader is a public 

company “Vinmonopolet”, which is in charge of 200 specialized alcohol shops. 

“Preliminary work took half a year. It was both a test and experience for 

company professionals,” admits Rolands Gulbis. These shops are the only trading 

places in Norway, where it was possible to purchase alcohol. 



New export channels are acquired



With an aim to acquire more trade channels a/s “Latvijas balzams” has expanded 

active product directing in HoReCa sector. Besides, it has started cooperation 

with ferry lines. Thus, for example, Riga Black Balsam is started to be sold in 

the routes of ferry line Tallink. At the moment, the first positive feedback is 

received regarding the sales results, and beginning with the end of October it 

is planned to start promotional campaigns Tallink routes as well. In the same 

way the company production is being sold in Tax Free shops.



Riga Black Balsam also in Spain, France and Italy



This year a/s „Latvijas Balzams” has started exporting Riga Black Balsam and 

sparkling wines to France, but Riga Black Balsam and liquor “Šarlote” – to 

Spain. However, in the nearest time it is planned to start exporting Riga Black 

Balsam to Italy. During nine months of this year the export of Riga Black Balsam 

has increased for 8 %, but Riga Black Balsam cocktail booklets, which up to now 

have been published in 10 languages have been supplemented with issues in Chinese 

and Danish languages. These are only preliminary works to prepare for acquisition 

of new markets.



A/s “Latvijas balzams” expands it business in export markets



The amount of sparkling wine export has been increased for 53% to Kaliningrad 

in Russia and the amount of sales of Riga Black Balsam and sparkling wine has 

been increased for 40% in Denmark. 



Operation in the Baltic States has also been expanded. Export to Estonia has 

been increased for 20%, in Estonia the export of “Riga Sparkling wine” has 

grown most rapidly. However, in the Lithuanian market “Kaznacheyskaya” vodka 

series has been expanded, but the sales of brandy “Grand Cavalier” has 

increased for 37%. Also, the cooperation with the Lithuanian Lukoil petrol 

stations has been considerably expanded. At the moment the production of a/s 

“Latvijas Balzams” can be bought in all 114 petrol stations of this chain.



The total amount of a/s “Latvijas balzams” export in the first nine months of 

this year has increased for 10% in comparison with the same time period last 

year. The company export this year has been supplemented by 37 new products and 

currently it is made of 85 products. On the basis of export growth there is 

acquisition of new trade channels and new markets, as well as business expansion 

in the markets already acquired. In total a/s “Latvijas balzams” production has 

been exported to 22 countries. 



“Successful operation in foreign markets is the best proof of company’s 

competitiveness. It has made its contributions also in the national economy. 

The more we export, the more we produce, the more people are employed. As a 

result, national incomes rise due to the collected tax. As the producer of the 

Baltic area our local market is small, therefore export is essential for company 

development,” the situation is being characterized by Rolands Gulbis, 

a/s “Latvijas balzams” Chairman of the Board.





Rolands Gulbis,

a/s “Latvijas balzams” Chairman of the Board