The dominant player on the Czech sparkling wine market Bohemia Sekt finally came out of stagnation in 2018, when it increased its sales by 6.3% y/y to CZK1.7bn (€66.5mn), the annual report published on July 22 showed.  

Bohemia Sekt recorded a growth in profit of almost 3% to CZK454mn. “We see the year 2018 as extremely successful. In addition to the traditionally strong December, we also sold a record number of bottles in November,” said director Ondrej Beranek to daily E15, adding that the company sold more than 29.5mn bottles during the year, up by 3% y/y. 

The company's 2018 investments amounted to CZK187.2mn, going mainly to the construction of a new mill in Mikulov, modernisation of the line for sparkling wines, building reconstructions, restructuring of vineyards including modernisation of viticulture technology, and purchases of new land, according to the annual report. 

The company expects its economic and financial situation to remain stable in 2019. Its strategy is expected to be influenced by market developments, mostly due to its further gradual concentration and internationalisation. The aim of the company for the coming period is to continue building a sales, marketing and distribution system that will support further development of the wine-viticultural group and its market position.

In 2019, the company plans to sell almost 30mn bottles of sparkling wines, still wines and other beverages, and to achieve total sales revenues (excluding excise tax) of CZK1.6bn.