FRoSTA’s Sales Value is Still on the Upswing, But Private Label Outpaces Branded Products

Sales of FRoSTA AG grew 12.4% in 2008 to 392 million euros. In its annual report, the Bremerhaven, Germany-based company said that profits before taxes were up by 16.6 million euros over 2007 to 17.7 million, while profits after taxes rose by 12.1 million.

Sales in the first quarter of 2009 rose 3.7% over the previous year, a gain FRoSTA attributed to the higher prices necessitated by increased raw material costs. It’s not yet possible to predict sales and profits for 2009.

Sales of the FRoSTA brand were up 12% to 54 million euros, while the private label segment advanced by 18% to 269 million euros. The bulk consumer-home service-industry segment remained stable at 64 million euros, but the secondary brands Tiko and Elbtal continued to post sales declines (2008: 15 million; 2007: 17 million; 2006; 24 million euros).

Foreign sales were up 19% from 123 million to 146 million euros. There was enormous growth in Eastern Europe, where FRoSTA claims to be the value-added frozen food market leader in both Poland and Hungary.

Fish is FRoSTA’s strongest product range, and sales for that category grew 10.2% to 194 million euros. Fruits and vegetables were up 14% to 98 million, while ready meals rose by 14.9% to 100 million euros.