Bulgaria: Beer sales increased by 18.4 per cent for first five months of 2007

Beer sales in Bulgaria reached 1.959 million hectolitres from January to May 2007 according to Union of Brewers in Bulgaria (UBB) statistics, Sofia Echo reported June 15.

These levels represent an 18.4 per cent increase in comparison to data for the same period of 2006, when sales totaled 1.655 million hectolitres, investor.bg reported.

Beer consumption growth slowed down in the end of the period.

Bulgarian brewers sold 592 934 hectolitres in May 2007, 10.71 per cent less than in May 2006.

UBB statistics are made on the sales of brands Zagorka, Kamenitsa, Carlsberg Bulgaria, Bolyarka, Lomsko Pivo and Agrima.

Zagorka registered highest sales figures fro the five-month period totaling 621 590 hectolitres. The company sold 171 572 hectolitres in May, which placed it second for the month after Kamenitsa.

Kamenitsa ranks first in beer sales for May. It sold 188 068 hectolitres beer in May and 558 518 hectolitres for the entire period.

Beer sales registered by Karlsberg Bulgaria for the entire period total 531 165 hectolitres and 149 232 hectolitres for May.