7 July (BNS)

In the first five months of this year sales by companies that are members of the Association of Estonian Food Industry grew 9% year on year to 455 million euros, the association said on Thursday.

The manager of the industry body, Sirje Potisepp, said the Estonian consumer continues to prefer products made in Estonia. "As far as meat products go, preference is given increasingly to products with higher value-added and of higher quality that can be used directly in preparing a meal," Potisepp said. "This is a clear indication of the recovery of consumers' purchasing power," she added.

Figures available from the association show that monthly sales of foodstuffs have surpassed last year's results ever since the beginning of 2011. Sales during the first five months of this year totalled 393.2 million euros, which is 10.9% more than a year ago.

Export volumes have improved in foodstuffs and beverages alike in comparison with 2010, the association said. Exports of foodstuffs totalled nearly 30 million euros and of beverages 4.6 million euros in May.

Demand on the main export markets for the Estonian food industry has improved and export remains on a growth path, the association said. Export of foodstuffs in the five months grew 11.5 percent from the corresponding period a year ago.