Roust boosts sales in Russia 25.4% in Q1
MOSCOW. Aug 19 (Interfax) - Roust, a leading producer of alcoholic beverages increased sales in Russia 25.4% year-on-year in natural terms.
A significant rise in the legal vodka market was one of the reasons behind the growth, the company said. Roust started producing beverages in the budget segment in Q1 to increase its market share among major vodka brands.
The company's total sales rose 12.1% in Q1 or by 613,000 nine-liter cases. Sales increased 10.2% on the Polish market and international sales were up 2.8%.
Roust's revenue grew 15.4% in January-March to $130 million, mainly from its Russian business as well as continuing growth in Poland.
Gross profit increased to $46.8 million in Q1, up from $41.7 million a year earlier. EBITDA grew to $2.9 million from $0.6 million.
Roust is the second largest producer of vodka in the world. Roust is both a producer and distributer of alcoholic beverages. The company's plants are located in Poland and Russia: its main markets are Russia, Poland and Hungary. Roust's brands include its flagship brand Russian Standard, Zelenaya Marka, Parlament and Zhuravli, and also the Polish vodka Zubrowka. Roust also owns Italian wine house Gancia.
Roust's revenue increased 3.6% to $605.2 million in 2016; corrected for currency differences, revenue increased 9.2% to $638. EBITDA rose 3.9% to $92.6 million.
Total sales in all countries were up 7% in 2017, sales in Poland growing 13.8% and 45.1% on international markets. Growth was partially offset but a 19.5% drop in sales on the Russian market.