Akwawit has been slated for public trade, also by the end of next year. Now the ministry has settled the essential question of ownership of brands, no obstacles to the sale remained, he said. The ministry said the brands held by the distilleries will play a key role in the success of their sale. While there are over 1,000 domestic brands on the market, analysts estimate that as few as 15 have a promising future. Even those that do have well-known vodka brands will need a powerful financial backer to continue to promote them in a saturated market, Jeznach added.
Analysts estimate that only a handful of the distilleries make a profit.
Jeznach declined to provide details of their financial condition. The distilleries have complained that taxes as high as 80 percent on their products have erased most of their profits over the last several years. But the biggest problem they face is the fact that the country famous for its vodka drinks less and less of it, choosing instead lighter alcohols, especially beer. The Treasury Minister said Polish distilleries need investors who will help them survive by either finding a niche or by becoming a part of a strong foreign group.