SAKU ÕLLETEHASE AS

ANNOUNCEMENT

10.11.1999

 

COMMENTARY TO THE FINANCIAL RESULTS 09/99

 

Sales

 

In 9 months of 1999 AS Saku Õlletehas sold total of 37.1 million 

liters of beer, providing 32% increase on annual basis. The 

respective figure in 1998 amounted to 28.1 million liters.

 

The company's main production article is continuously Saku 

Originaal. During the first three quarters of this year the company 

sold total of 12.1 million liters of Saku Originaal, providing 

about 21% y-o-y increase (1998: 10 million liters). Also the sales 

of "Saku Pilsner", "Rock", "Saku on Ice" and "Sarvik" have 

improved.

 

The sales of mineral water Vichy Classique improved. The 

nine-months sales of Vichy Classique amounted to 3.1 million 

liters, providing 21% increase on annual basis.

 

The estimated size of total Estonian beer market in nine months of 

1999 was 69.3 million liters *), which is 27% more than during the 

respective period last year. The share of imported beer on the beer 

market was 11% (in 1997: 13%).

 

During the first three quarters of the year, the market share of AS 

Saku Õlletehas in total beer market stood at 50%, i.e. 4% more than 

one year ago. The market share of Saku Õlletehas has improved 

mainly due to successful marketing campaigns. In early summer and 

fall the company conducted a consumer campaign for Saku Originaal, 

which turned out to be highly popular and helped to increase the 

brand selling. This summer the company also conducted a successful 

campaign to "Rock" beer to boost the brand sales. 

 

Continuously tightening competition has also supported the growth 

of beer market.

 

 

Financial results

 

The consolidated 9-months net sales of Saku Õlletehas group 

amounted to 567.9 million EEK, providing 160.5 million EEK or 39.4% 

y-o-y increase. The group's expenses (503.5 million EEK) increased 

by 38.9%. 

 

The group's operating profit totaled 68.2 million EEK, which is 

37.5% more than during the respective period last year.

 

The company's 9-months net profit amounted to 51.4 million EEK, 

which is 14.4 million EEK or 38.7% higher than during the 

respective period last year.

____________________________________________

*) Expert evaluation of Saku Õlletehas.

 

 

Ruth Roht

Public Relations Manager

Tel: +372 65 08 303