World: Consolidation of the world’s brewing industry continues at a steady pace. Anheuser-Busch, InBev and SAB acquired further plants in China and strengthened their position in this huge market. Heineken took over two breweries in Russia, and Efes is favoured to take control of a small brewery in Vladivostok. In Germany InBev’s purchase of the Spaten-Franziskaner-Löwenbräu group is finalized, the contract with Dinkelacker-Schwabenbräu is about to be signed. Heineken/Brau Union are streamlining their production units in Romania and Slovakia. The merger of Molson and Coors is still expected during this calendar year.

24 October, 2004