The members of the Romania’s Brewers association have elected Lucian Ghinea, Bergebier’s general manager, as president. He will take over from Dutchman Onno Rombouts, Heineken Romania’s managing director.

The association represents the largest beer producers in Romania, which cover more than 80% of the local beer sales, and some of their main suppliers.

The beer sales in Romania declined by 9% in the first half of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013. In 2013, the market also went down by 10%. The brewers pinned this decline on the Government’s decision to increase excise taxes for beer.

“We hope that 2015 will bring those adequate economic and fiscal conditions that will lead to a positive evolution of the beer market,” said Lucian Ghinea.

He has been general manager of Bergenbier since October 2012. Bergenbier, Romania’s third largest beer producer, is part of Canadian group Molson Coors.

The other members of the association are Heineken Romania, Ursus Breweries (part of SAB Miller group), URBB (part of Carlsberg) and local producer Martens Galati. French malt producer Soufflet and the Romanian Hop Producer’s Association are also members.

Total investments in the beer sector have amounted to EUR 1.25 billion, providing almost 70,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to Romania’s Brewers association. Romania's beer output covers about 97% of its consumption.

Romania was the 8th largest beer producer in Europe in 2013, with a total volume of 16.3 million hectolitres.

Andrei Chirileasa, andrei@romania-insider.com