Nelt Group announces investments of EUR 100 million – Big plans in Romanian market too

More than EUR 100 million will be invested in new logistics infrastructure and modern technologies in the markets of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Zambia in the next cycle, announced Nelt Group at the annual media conference.

– This year at Nelt has been marked by a successful CEO transition and organizational transformation of the Group, as well as the fact that we have continued the accelerated growth of the income and commenced business operations in the market of Romania. Nelt Group will realize an income of EUR 1.4 billion, which is a growth of 8% compared to last year – emphasized Darko Lukic, the CEO of Nelt Group.

He added that the Accelerate 2025 strategy brought excellent results and that the income growth was above the average market growth. He said that all three pillars of the company – distribution, logistics and brand – recorded a growth.

Biggest investment cycle in Nelt’s history

The planned investment of EUR 100 million, the biggest one in the company’s history, will be directed at the expansion of the existing capacities, the redesign and optimization of the logistics network and the implementation of robotization and automated solutions. Among other things, the aim is for the central distribution logistics center in Dobanovci with the intermodal terminal to additionally define itself through this investment as a regional logistics hub and to increase the regional efficiency of business while complying with the adopted ESG standards.



– Investing in digital transformation accelerates and raises the quality of services. We are especially satisfied with the Nelt Market app, which has 4,000 users. We plan to implement it in other markets as well, and in 2025, an income growth of over 7% is expected – said Lukic.

Entrance and business operations in Romanian market

For Nelt Group, geographic expansion is part of the plan for the acceleration of the income. Nelt Corp is thereby a new company of Nelt Group in the market of Romania, with headquarters in Bucharest.

– The Romanian market, with 19 million citizens and a GDP of around USD 330 billion, provides considerable business opportunities for us. Considering the level of development of the trade sector, Romania has proven to be an attractive destination for new business activities of Nelt in the region. The improvement of the sale of Nutrino and Nutrino Lab products is the primary goal, whereas the long-term plan is the expansion of the portfolio of brands in distribution and logistics services – said Marko Cilic, the CFO of Nelt.



When asked by eKapija how they see the competition in the market of Romania when it comes to Nutrino Lab products, Sonja Todorova, the vice-president for Nelt Group-owned brand businesses, says that it is a new trend that brings dynamics to the region:

– We are proud that this kind of an innovative product comes from Serbia and that Nelt is a pioneer. In this segment, it will remain the leader if it keeps innovating, because the health food market in Romania is increasingly strong, the customers are more and more interested and loyal to the brand, so other “big players” are appearing as well. The needs of various generations need to be met and we offer formulas with that in mind, such as, for example, the offer for the segment of three-to-seven-year-olds. Nelt will continue creating trends.



Cilic adds that the entire Adria region is seen as a space with great potential and that Nelt Adria records constantly good results and a quicker growth of the income (12%) compared to the group (8%).

When it comes to acquisitions and joint investments with other investors, the CEO of Nelt Group, Darko Lukic, says that the talks are ongoing, but that there is still no realization. When it comes to the African continent, he points out that acquisitions in the markets where the company already operates are being considered.

Leaders in categories of food for children and meat products

The Nelt brands Fabrika Decija Hrane and Neoplanta have solidified the leading position in the categories of food for children and meat products in which they operate. Numerous innovations and new products have led to a considerable increase in the market share (Fabrika Decije Hrane 37%, Neoplanta 14%). Also, an increase in the overall income of both companies is recorded (Fabrika Decije Hrane +25%, Neoplanta +12%) compared to 2023.



UNICEF and Nelt – USD 1.3 million for boosting education systems

This year, Nelt Group signed a strategic partnership with the UNICEF within which it will set aside USD 1.3 million over three years to boost the education systems in Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Angola. This initiative will enable around 30,000 students, including 1,000 from the most vulnerable groups, to acquire digital and green skills which are necessary for the 21st century’s labor market.

212 new jobs

Nelt Group invested EUR 5 million in raising salaries in 2024 and nearly EUR 1.4 million in benefits for employees (full physical checks, vouchers, recreation and so on), whereas over EUR 600,000 was invested in the development and education of the employees.

A total of 212 new jobs were created, so the total number of employees amounts to 5,460, of which 37% are women.



– The company enables a flexible work model, which entails arriving to work and leaving on a “sliding” schedule, as well as working from home for two days a week on average – said Bojana Mucic, the executive director for human resources at Nelt Group.

Nelt Co d.o.o Beograd

Fabrika dečje hrane d.o.o. Dobanovci

Neoplanta doo Novi Sad

UNICEF Serbia

Nelt Group

Nelt Corp

Fabrika dečije hrane

Neoplanta

Unicef

Darko Lukić

Marko Cilić

Bojana Mucić

Dobanovci

Nutrino

Nutrino Lab products

Nelt annual media conference

Accelerate 2025 strategy

Nelt investments