AS Holding increased exports in the first six months of 2020

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - After achieving a record export value last year, AS Holding, the leader of the food industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina, recorded a financial growth of its products on foreign markets by an additional 15% by the end of June 2020. Judging by the export results in the first six months, this year is also expected to be a record year for AS Holding, a corporation that is one of the largest employers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It should be emphasized that the export growth in the first half of the current year 2020 is 8% higher than planned. The new-old market of Kosovo has been reopened, to which the company returned after the abolition of customs duties. However, the good start was slowed down by COVID-19.

The markets of Croatia, the USA, Germany, and the Scandinavian region show the best results. Viewed by categories, coffee, milling products, jufke, confectionery, as well as soups, salt, and spices lead in exports. Due to the pandemic, export of products exclusively or largely aimed at the HoReCa sector has declined. Brands of companies Vispak, Klas, Solana, AC Food, AS such as Zlatna Džezva, Tuzlanska so, Zlatni puder, Tops, Kent continue to be export leaders, faithfully followed by Maza, Sprind's deep-frozen products, and Oaza water. The premium confectionery brand Mak Zara is also making its first breakthrough into foreign markets.

AS Holding is making additional efforts and supporting other Bosnian-Herzegovinian companies in various ways to achieve or increase exports, and healthy competition encourages us to work even more efficiently.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to be branded as a country that produces quality and health-safe products. We have many prerequisites for this, from fertile and clean land to a geographical location where Western and Eastern cuisine meet. Bosnian cuisine is the best example of the meeting of civilizations, and its brands are one of the best ambassadors of our country and its rich heritage. AS Holding member companies have huge capacities, and export growth is an indicator that we are coping well even in the most difficult situations such as the floods in 2014, COVID-19, etc. I would emphasize that we have been a factor of stability, not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina but also in several countries in the region. We have made great efforts to ensure that distributors do not run out of our products, especially basic ones such as flour, salt, pasta, soups, spreads, and other products that are an integral part of every table," explained Vedad Halilović, export director at AS Holding.

AS Holding will continue to open new markets and expand in existing ones. The Adrija region remains in focus, while the regions of Central Europe and North America are gaining additional attention. AS Holding operates 9 export companies, 7 in the food division: AC Food, AS Jelah, Oaza, Klas, Solana Tuzla, Sprind, and Vispak, and 2 members in the textile division: Napredak Tešanj and Fortitudo Travnik. The food division currently exports directly and indirectly to 33 countries worldwide on 5 continents.