BELUGA GROUP increased sales by 3,8% for the 1st quarter of 2018

BELUGA GROUP one of the leading spirits group in Russia (MOEX:BELU) today announces operational results for the 1st quarter of 2018. According to the Company’s data, overall sales of the products including the contract bottling in the 1st quarter of 2018 amounted to 2 mln 966 thousand 9L cases that represent 3,8% growth versus 2 mln 857 thousand 9L cases reported in the 1st quarter of 2017.

At the same period, the Company increased the scale of its import operations. The growth of sales for imported premium brands, including wine, amounted to 41% from 174 thousand 9L cases to 245 thousand 9L cases.

During the reported period, some strategic contracts for an exclusive distribution of the world known wine brands in Russia were signed. Among them: PICCINI -  leading company in the production of Italian wines from Tuscany region; MASI Agricola - one of the premium Italian wines leading producers from Veneto region, well-known for its CAMPOFIORIN and AMARONE COSTASERA brands; GERARD BERTRAND - the world's largest producer of biodynamic wines from France, the region Languedoc Russilyon.

The Company has continued the development of its export operations too. BELUGA GROUP has signed the agreement with SULA Vineyards, the largest Indian local distributor. It is structured, goal-oriented and has a wide client base and market coverage. Thanks to it, in the 1st quarter of the year the growth of Group’s sales in India amounted to 185%.

Also, in the 1st quarter, BELUGA GROUP and Bacardi company have prolonged their partnership agreement for five years. That is an objective evidence of mutually advantageous collaboration that have started two years ago.

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For further information, please contact:

Prokhor Malyutin Director, Public Relations	BELUGA GROUP	Tel.: +7 495 510 26 95 Fax: +7 495 510 26 97 e-mail: malyutin@belugagroup.ru
Sergey Kuptsov Director, Corporate Finance Department	BELUGA GROUP	Tel.: +7 495 510 26 95 Fax: +7 495 510 26 97 e-mail: ir@belugagroup.ru

 

ABOUT BELUGA GROUP:

BELUGA GROUP is the leading producer of alcohol beverages in Russia and independent leading Russian importer of strong spirits. The GROUP possesses 6 factories, its own distributional platform, ensuring the largest possible market coverage, and diversified portfolio of strategic brands, addressing market demands across the full spectrum of price points, from the low-middle to the super premium price segments. The GROUP holds a 16% share of the Russian market.

Brand portfolio of the GROUP includes super premium vodka BELUGA, premium vodka Veda, sub-premium vodka Myagkov, vodka in the middle price segment Belenkaya, vodka in the lower middle segment Tsar, and brandy Bastion, Old Guard, Le Lion and Zolotoy Rezerv (Gold Reserve). BELUGA GROUP is the exclusive distributor of one of the global premium spirits producer William Grant&Sons, representing in Russia brands such scotches as Glenfiddich, Grant’s, Clan McGregor, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s gin and Irish whisky Tullamore Dew. The Company distributes the products of French Camus cognac house, offering in Russia the Elegance series (VS, VSOP, XO, EXTRA); exclusive cognacs Borderies XO, Traditional Vintages; Berneroy Calvados, Boncourt XO and Chatelle Napoleon brandies. Also, the BELUGA GROUP import brand portfolio includes rum Ron Barcelo, Brandy Torres, tequila Milagro, a line of balms Latvijas Balzams and wine portfolio from iconic producers from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the USA, South Africa and other countries.

The extended brand portfolio, strong production base and own distribution system provide the Group with significant competitive advantages and opportunities for significant organic growth.