Sales of BAT Russia reached 73 billion cigarettes in 2005, 12 per cent up from 2004, informed managing director John Taylor.

The company also increased notably the volume of cigarette export. 3.7 billion pieces were supplied abroad in 2005, compared to 1.5 billion a year before. Today, products made by BAT’s Russian facilities are exported to nearly all CIS countries, Taylor elaborated. BAT has consolidated its market share in Russia to 20.5 per cent in volume (from 19.4 per cent in 2004) and brought its share of the market value to 22.6 per cent, from 21 per cent in the previous year. According to Taylor, the company invested US$ 110 million in expansion over the past year, which saw the construction and launch of its biggest construction project in Europe, the St Petersburg logistics centre, and upgrading of the company’s three cigarette making facilities. BAT’s investments in Russia have totalled US$ 630 million by the end of 2005. All the flagship brands have consolidated their position on the Russian market, Taylor told the press. Thus, Kent and Vogue have won 24.6 and 30 per cent of the premium and slims segments correspondingly, and Yava and Alliance together hold 23 per cent of the popular segment, reports Ros Business Consulting news agency. (vt)