Brazil: AmBev, Brazil's top brewer, recovered more domestic beer market share in June, while rivals Molson and Schincariol were steady or lost ground, the market leader said on July 14. Companhia de Bebidas das Americas (AmBev) said data from market research firm AC Nielsen showed its share of the Brazilian market, where it earns most of its revenue, rose 0.3 percentage points to 66.3 % in June. Reuters revealed that AmBev is in the process of merging with Belgium's Interbrew to create the world's biggest brewer in volume terms ahead of U.S. giant Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc.

Privately owned Brazilian brewer Schincariol saw its market share remain stable at 13.1 percent, AmBev said. But the share of Canada's Molson Inc. eased to 10.9 percent in June from 11.1 percent in May, its third consecutive monthly drop. Representatives of AC Nielsen were not immediately available to comment. The firm usually declines comment on its Brazil beer market research as a matter of policy.

Schincariol helped drag AmBev's market share down to 63.2 percent in December from 70.1 percent in June with a revamp of its main brand Nova Schin and large marketing campaign. But AmBev, whose brands include Skol, Brahma and Antarctica, has spent more on marketing this year to try to recover its traditional 67 percent to 70 percent market share.

AmBev stock closed 0.3 percent weaker at 652 reais on Wednesday. Brazil's benchmark Bovespa stock index ended steady.

16 July, 2004