Carlsberg Okocim notes decrease in beer sales to July

Total beer sales reached 11.8 million hectolitres for the first half of 2002. Out of this sum, the three largest domestic beer producers, Grupa Zywiec, Kompania Piwowarska (KP) and Carlsberg Okocim, together sold 9.65 million hectolitres. This means they have sold 4.6% more alcohol in co mparison to the first half of 2001. The market leader remains Zywiec owned by Heineken which, so far unofficially, recorded a 6.9% growth in sales in comparison to the same period last year. Kompania Piwowarska, which is controlled by South Africa Breweries (SAB), can boast a similar increase. Both companies together control over 60% of the domestic market. Meanwhile, the third beer producer, Carlsberg Okocim, has recorded a 4.6% decrease in total sales for the first six months. "Zywiec is still doing quite well. On the other hand, KP gained a lot during the World Cup thanks to numerous advertising campaigns and promotions. This may have resulted in a temporary boost for sales. If the information about the decreased sales of Carlsberg Okocim is confirmed, than it might be facing hard times in the future," said Bogna Sikorska, an analyst with the CDM Pekao brokerage house. (Puls B iznesu, p. 6) M.M.