E-Malt.com News article: Ukraine: Carlsberg to distribute Warsteiner as from next year

Danish brewer Carlsberg has signed a deal to distribute Warsteiner beer in Ukraine, local media reported on November, 23.

Germany-based Warsteiner Brauerei said Carlsberg will expand its reach in Ukraine. A spokesperson for Warsteiner declined to name the group's previous distributor in the country.

However, he said: "The main reason for us to change our importer in Ukraine is that our former importer was mainly focused only on the region of the city of Kiev, while our new partner, Carlsberg, commands a big national sales force and has a well established network of customers over the whole country." Warsteiner is keen to develop is namesake premium lager in Ukraine.

Carlsberg is the second largest brewer by volume in Ukraine, behind AB InBev's Sun InBev business. The country has a population of 45 mln.

Warsteiner said that the distribution deal will begin in 2012. The CEO of Carlsberg Ukraine, Peter Chernyshov, said: "We look forward to adding an internationally recognised premium pilsner to our portfolio, which enables us to strengthen our position in the import premium segment."


23 November, 2011