Exports surged 15% to €178.9 million and already account for 88% of the sales, Krka CEO Joze Colaric told the press on Thursday, 5 April. Central Europe is the biggest market for the pharmaceutics company, accounting for 27% of the revenues. Sales in the region expanded by 27% year-on-year, with the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia the fastest growing markets. Eastern Europe is the second biggest market (25%), but sales there shrunk by 3% due to poorer results in Russia, which remains Krka’s biggest single market. In Southeast Europe the company saw sales increase by 28% to €35.2 million ($47.2 million), which means the region accounted for 17% of the total sales. Sales in Western Europe and overseas markets grew at a rate of 19% to total €36.1 million, 18% of the total sales. Slovenia accounts for only 12% of the total sales.
Prescription drugs accounted for 82% of the total, with the segment growing by 13% year-on-year. The segment of over-the-counter drugs grew faster, by 23%, and now represents 11% of overall sales. The remaining revenues came from veterinary and cosmetic products and spa services. Colaric said end-year sales were projected to amount to €750 million, with net profit at €130 million. According to Colaric, who did not disclose the net profit for the first quarter, the management will propose dividends of €8 per share at the annual general meeting in early July. This is 16% more than last year and would set Krka back over €27 million. (Slovenia Business Week)
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