‘Lietuviškas midus’ plans to change its image and strategic direction

“Lietuviškas midus”, a manufacturer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages based in Stakliškės, in the Prienai district, now has a new director and promises to change its image and strategic direction. However, the company’s owners and management are not disclosing any further details. 

Marius Šukauskas, head of the Lithuanian Union of Co-operatives, which manages the company, told BNS that he does not wish to share the company’s expansion plans at this stage: “Wait and you will find out how ‘Lietuviškas midus’ will change its image and strategic direction.”

Tadas Umbrasas, who has been leading the company since 1 July, told BNS that he would not comment on the company’s expansion plans and advised contacting M. Šukauskas. As shown by the board’s decision submitted to the Centre of Registers, T. Umbrasas was appointed director of the company on 10 June, and this was registered on 10 July.

T. Umbrasas replaced Vilmantas Paltanavičius, who had been leading the company since the end of July 2022 and who stepped down on 30 June by mutual agreement.

“The former director decided to invest his experience in other ventures; this came as a surprise to us (...). The new CEO is someone from within our organisation; he was not recruited from outside the market,” M. Šukauskas told BNS. 

As T. Umbrasas told BNS, until July he worked as commercial director at “Vilniaus kooperacijos prekyba”, the company that operates the “Koops” retail chain and two “Senukų” shops in Jurbarkas: “I have been working in the retail and manufacturing sectors for many years.”

“Lietuviškas midus” made a net profit of 118,500 euros last year – 39 per cent less than in 2024 (193,600 euros), whilst its revenue rose by 10 per cent to €3.29 million (€2.98 million), according to the company’s report submitted to the RC.

This year, the company plans to generate 17 per cent more revenue – totalling 3.88 million euros – whilst its net profit is expected to fall by 18 per cent to 100.6 thousand euros.

According to the 2025 profit distribution proposal, the company’s distributable profit amounted to €442,900, of which €100,000 is allocated to dividends, whilst €342.9 thousand is carried forward to the next financial year.

Last year, the company also paid out €100 thousand in dividends, and in 2024 – €50 thousand.

In 2025, “Lietuviškas midus” sold 9.7 per cent more spirits (128.4 thousand litres), 19 per cent more mead (31,900 litres), 79 per cent fewer alcoholic cocktails and cider (57,600 litres), and 25 per cent fewer soft drinks (300.2 thousand litres).

To strengthen its position in the low-alcohol category, the company launched a new mead range, “Namidus”, last year. According to the report, “Lietuviškas midus” plans to expand its range of mead drinks and cocktails this year.

“The company will continue its active export activities and promote tasting and educational tourism services; supplies to the Estonian market have already begun,” the report states.

“Stakliškės” mead, produced by the company which has been operating for 34 years, has been included in the European Commission’s Register of Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications.

100 per cent of the company’s shares are held by the Lithuanian Union of Co-operatives.