According to independent market data, JGL’s brands achieved excellent results in 2018, particularly on the largest markets in which the company operates - in Russia, Croatia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. JGL’s brands have grown three times faster in Russia than on the total market, twice as fast in Croatia than on the market of OTC drugs and medical products, and ten times faster in Ukraine.
For example, on the Russian market, Aqua Maris reached a 26% market share, while Meralys exceeded all of the goals set in the segment of nasal decongestants. It is also worth mentioning the results of Dramina, which increased its market share by 1.5%, and of the dermatological portfolio that is growing at two-digit rates.
"Given the political risks that caused the volatility of the Russian ruble exchange rate in 2018, the further growth of market shares of our brands and overall achievement of our business goals is a great success. This is a result of focused work, primarily on improving the performance of sales and marketing activities, and optimizing stocks on the markets,” says Mislav Vučić, JGL’s CEO.
On the domestic Croatian market, the best results in the OTC portfolio were achieved by Meralys HA and Vizol S, with significantly higher growth than the one on the market, while Aqua Mariscontinues to be a market leader in its segment. The latest in a string of successes are Dramina and Reflustat, a new product that naturally and effectively relieves symptoms of heartburn.
JGL achieved the best results last year on the Ukrainian market. All brands in Ukraine achieved a positive, two-digit growth. Aqua Maris and Meralys stand out with a 70% growth, as well as an excellent start of the ophthalmic portfolio with an 80.5% growth in the first year of launch. The ophthalmic portfolio of the company also shows a similar, positive trend on the reference market of Kazakhstan, where JGL entered the ophthalmics field in the second quarter of 2018. A big step forward has also been made in the anti-allergen segment on all the markets mentioned, both in the field of nasal products and eye products. In addition to the positive reactions from users suffering from allergies, such results are the best motivation for further development in this field.
"JGL’s key success in 2018 was the change of trends in its most important markets. We grew faster than the market and increased our market shares, which allowed us to work on managing prices, inventories and costs, and consequently on increasing profitability and reducing our debt. We are satisfied with what we have achieved and we firmly believe that in 2019, we will continue the double-digit growth,” concludes Mislav Vučić.