FOCUS: Romania ’09 Easter Food Sales Seen Similar With ’08 Sales or Lower

Bakery product sales will be ten times higher in April compared with sales in a regular month, which is only natural for the Easter period, but prices will not go up, according to Rompan owners’ association representative, Aurel Popescu.

Meat sales will see a decrease, compared with the same period in 2008, considering sales in early 2009, as well as lower consumption and income among people, according to Mihai Visan, executive manager of the Romanian Meat Association (ARC).

Visan also said that producers would not hike meat prices during the Easter period.

According to data from the Romanian Owners’ Associations of Sheep Breeders and Exporters (PACERO), 3.5 million lambs were culled for Easter.

Poultry breeders estimate egg sales will see an increase up to 50% in April and will exceed sales in a regular month, adding egg prices will remain unchanged.

Aurel Tanase, head of Romanian Romconserv owners’ association, said vegetable and fruit prices have decreased lately, because local producers must keep up with imports.

Considering that people cannot afford to spend too much money for Easter, producers and retailers will resort to promotions in an attempt to stimulate consumption and they will also adjust supply to demand for low-prices products.