Market proves sweet for Eastern European chocolate maker
than 80,000 tonnes of confectionery in the year's first quarter,
taking $140 million (€104m) in sales and confirming its position as
a market leader in Ukraine's sweet sector.
The company, which produces around 30 per cent of all Ukrainian confectionery, exported more than 20,000 tonnes of sweets, earning up to $41 million (€30.5m) through overseas business. According to the Ukrainan government, the country's confectionery market is around one million tonnes a year by volume. Roshen manufactures Kievsky cake, Chaika and Zodiac chocolate bars and Kiev Vecherny and Belochka sweets. The toffee and chocolate producer began selling confectionery five years ago in the stable Russian market and now manufacturers over 200 products from factories across Europe. Last September, Roshen upped production by acquiring a major factory site in Lithuania - aiming to increase its presence in the Baltic States' confectionery market. Shortly after, the group extended its portfolio further with the incorporation of Klaipeda, a leading firm in Lithuania's caramel sector. In this year's first quarter, Roshen invested in its facilities. The company is currently constructing a new logistical centre in Yagotin and continuing with work at its Lipetsk site. Roshen recently built on its existing range of small, chocolate cake items with the launch of a new chocolate and nut mini swiss roll product under the Super-Mini brand.
