Coca Cola's sales slightly down in Romania while zero calories drink sells better in first half year

Coca Cola Hellenic's sales in Romania were slightly down in the first half of this year, due to difficult macroeconomic conditions and to political tensions, according to the company.

"Volume in Romania declined in the low single-digits in both periods under review, coupled with the recent political uncertainty, macroeconomic conditions remain challenging,”according to the company's statement. However, trademark Coca-Cola products’ volume grew in the low single-digits due to Coca-Cola Zero posting 36 percent growth. The second quarter of the year was slightly better in Romania: “We grew both volume and value share in the sparkling beverages category in the second quarter,” the company said. Internationally, Coca Cols sold over 1 billion cases of refreshing beverages and mineral water in the first half of the year, a drop of 2 percent on the same period of 2011. Its revenues were however up 1 percent, to EUR 3.4 billion, while its expenses increased by 5 percent, to EUR 2.19 billion. The beverage producer's net profit was down by a quarter, to EUR 109 million. In Romania, Coca Cola Hellenic runs four factories, in Iaşi, Timişoara, Ploieşti and Vatra Dornei, bottling Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, Cappy, Nestea, Dorna, Poiana Negri, Burn and Illy. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: sxc.hu)