28 April (BNS)

Sales revenue of the beverages maker A. Le Coq, based in Estonia's second-largest city Tartu, was 14.5 million euros and operating profit 1.58 million euros in the first quarter of this year.

Sales by volume increased by 18% year-on-year to nearly 27 million liters. Sale of beer, juices and non-alcoholic beverages grew the most, by respectively 11%, 23% and 14%, the company said.

A. Le Coq plans to invest 2.5 million euros in product development this year, CEO Tarmo Noop said.

Commenting on the development of the Estonian beverages market as a whole, Noop said the volume in terms of liters sold will probably grow by 5% this year. The biggest problem for producers is the steep rise in input prices, he added. "The beverages industry is impacted by the prise rise of sugar and plastic bottles, as well as a significant rise in the price of juice raw material," he said.