Research and Markets: In April 2008 the Merger between Czech Kofola Holding and Hoop of Poland, Created a Regional Drinks Major under the Name Kofola- Hoop Group

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/034cc7/poland_food_and_dr) has announced the addition of the "Poland Food and Drink Report Q3 2008" report to their offering.

This report provides independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on Poland's food and drink industry.

Poland represents a moderately attractive destination for investment, as illustrated by its position in the sixth place in our Q308 Business Environment Ranking table surveying 14 markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Poland benefits from strong consumption rates and a large population, as well as a vast agricultural sector and an attractive business environment. On the downside, consumption levels per capita continue to lag behind Western European standards, primarily due to considerably lower GDP per capita. Nevertheless, the market continues to exhibit considerable dynamism, as illustrated by a number of deals in the past few months. On the other hand, however, some companies are deciding to leave the country.

One of the most notable among all industry developments is the April 2008 merger between Czech Kofola Holding and Hoop of Poland, which created a regional drinks major under the name Kofola- Hoop Group. The new entity, now present in five CEE markets, will be looking to strengthen its position further through acquisitions, despite its decision to exit Hungary, following a drop in sales and recorded 2007 losses.

In the food sector, US ingredients producer Cargill, and Solae – an alliance between DuPont and Bunge – both confirmed their intention to increase their presence in the country. The former completed the US$35mn expansion of the Polish wheat processing factory, in response to rising consumer demand across Europe. The latter plans to launch new soy-based products in the country, aiming to take advantage of the increased interest in healthy foods. At present, Solae’s products are mostly used in Poland for their gelling and emulsifying properties in meat production, but as this market reaches maturity, Solae is looking for new avenues of growth.

In terms of the Polish mass grocery retail (MGR) scene, the intensification of competition has already resulted in consolidation, especially following recent acquisition of the Ahold Polska store network by French retailer Carrefour. This followed the deal between Germany’s Tengelmann and Portuguese discount retailer Jerónimo Martins, which was already the leading discount operator in Poland.

Moreover, in April 2008, UK retail company Tesco announced a new wave of expansions for the Polish and Slovakian markets, as it invests further in strengthening its position in these countries, while German discounter Aldi finally opened its first stores in Poland. Given such developments, other companies are rumoured to be looking to exit the market, with Schwarz Group-run retailer Lidl reportedly seeking a buyer for its 260-strong discount store network in May 2008.

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary 6

Business Environment 7

Regional Food & Drink Business Environment Ratings 7

Table: CEE Food & Drink Ratings – Q308 10

Poland’s Food & Drink Business Environment Rating 10

Global Food & Drink Business Environment Ratings 11

SWOT Analysis 12

Food And Drink 12

Poland Food And Drink Industry SWOT 12

Mass Grocery Retail 13

Poland Mass Grocery Retail Industry SWOT 13

Macroeconomic Outlook 14

Table: Poland Economic Activity 15

Food 16

Industry Forecast Scenario 16

Food Consumption 16

Table: Poland Food Consumption Indicators – Historical Data & Forecasts 16

Confectionery 17

Table: Poland Confectionery Indicators – Historical Data & Forecasts 17

Canned Food 17

Table: Poland Canned Foods Indicators – Historical Data & Forecasts 17

Trade 18

Table: Poland Food, Drink & Tobacco Trade Indicators (US$mn) – Historical Data & Forecasts 18

Industry Developments 18

Market Overview 20

Food Consumption 20

Confectionery 21

Canned Food 21

Trade 21

Agriculture 22

Drink 24

Industry Forecast Scenario 24

Table: Drinks indicators – Historical Data & Forecasts 25

Table: Hot Drinks Indicators – Historical Data & Forecas 25

Table: Soft Drinks indicators – Historical Data & Forecas 26

Industry Developments 26

Market Overview 28

Agriculture At A Glance 32

Table: Poland Organic Agricultural Data 32

Agricultural Commodity Price 33

Retail 34

Industry Forecast Scenario 34

Table: Mass Grocery Retail Sales By Format (US$bn) 35

Table: Grocery Retail Sales By Format – Historical Data And Forecasts 36

Industry Developments 36

Market Overview 37

Main MGR Players 39

Table: Structure Of The Mass Grocery Retail Market By Estimated Number Of Outlets 40

Table: Structure Of The Mass Grocery Retail Market By Value (US$bn) 41

Table: Average Annual Value Of Sales Per Outlet By Format, 2007 41

Competitive Landscape 42

Key Players 42

Mass Grocery Retail 42

Table: Key Players In Poland’s Mass Grocery Retail Sector 42

Food And Drink 43

Table: Key Players – Poland's Food & Drink Sector 2007 Estimates 43

Company Analysis 44

Mass Grocery Retail 44

Metro Polska 44

Biedronka (Jerónimo Martins) 45

Food 46

Nestlé Polska 46

Drink 47

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) 47

Carlsberg Polska 48

Hoop 49

Deep US Recession Scenario 50

Global Scenario 50

Table: World GDP Growth 50

Table: US GDP Growth, Investment Growth, and Private Consumption Growth 51

Table: Eurozone GDP Growth 52

Table: Asia, Excluding Japan, GDP Growth 53

Table: China GDP Growth 54

Table: Mexico GDP Growth 54

Table: Africa GDP Growth 55

CEE Food & Drink Scenario 56

Table: Impact Of Deep Us Recession On Total Food Consumption (US$Bn) In Selected CEE Markets - Cumulative US$ Impact Over 5yr Forecast Period 57

Appendix 60

Food & Drink Business Environment Ratings 60

Ratings Methodology 60

Ratings Overview 60

Ratings System 60

Indicators 60

Limits Of Potential Returns 61

Risks To Realisation Of Potential Returns 62

Weighting 63

Weighting 63

BMI Food & Drink Industry Glossary 64

Food & Drink 64

Mass Grocery Retail 64

BMI Food & Drink Forecasting & Sourcing 66

How We Generate Our Industry Forecasts 66

Sourcing 67

Companies Mentioned:

- Biedronka (Jerónimo Martins)

- Carlsberg Polska

- Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC)

- Hoop

- Metro Polska

- Nestlé Polska

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/034cc7/poland_food_and_dr