THE TOPVAR Brewery in Topolčany plans to increase sales to 700,000 hectolitres of beer this year. Topvar reported the sale of 666,040 hectolitres last year.
"The year 2003 was marked by an increase in excise taxes, which led to about a 2 percent drop in the company's sales," said director general Peter Vendelin.
Despite decreased sales, Topvar strengthened its market share from 13.9 percent in 2002 to 14.3 percent last year. The company managed to firm its market position to the detriment of smaller breweries.
Export reached about 22,700 hectolitres, with the highest portion ending up in the Czech Republic and Germany. Topvar beer is known in 22 countries worldwide, including Italy, Hungary, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
