REGION: Food giant Nestle challenging regional crises | Progresiv
Reorganized geographically at the beginning of the year, Nestle is challenging a number of regional problems, as the confectionery giant bids to remain strong in the Russian market despite the depreciation of the ruble, while it also continues its business in war-torn Syria, according to Nestle executive Luis Cantarell. 
“Of course, the war in Syria has added difficulties and affected our business, but our products are still there,” Cantarell told the Daily News in an interview in Istanbul, as he also elaborated on the new organizational structure of the company, including himself as Zone Director for Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EMENA), launched Jan. 1.
The company used to have a factory in Syria but it was bombed, he said. Now the distributors are handling the delivery process.
Russia also stands as a volatile market, according to Cantarell, but he is still confident. “Russia is an important market for us. We grew there last year. We had good results. Now the market is more volatile,” he said, citing the ruble’s devaluation and a fall in consumer confidence. “Our culinary, confectionary and coffee brands are very well-rooted in the country. We expect our brands to keep the share and continue growing in 2015 in a more volatile market,” he said. (www.hurriyetdailynews.com)
