E-Malt.com News article: Sudan: SABMiller to brew beer from cassava helped by $1 mln funding from Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund

World’s No. 2 brewer SABMiller plc said on June, 25 it was developing a beer in southern Sudan that will be brewed from cassava, a starchy root vegetable that will be sourced from local small-scale farmers.

The company has won nearly $1 million funding from the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) to introduce an innovative local sourcing model for cassava through its subsidiary Southern Sudan Beverages (SSB). SABMiller will contribute over US$2m through the partnership to match the funding provided by the AECF.

Mark Bowman, Managing Director of SABMiller Africa said: "This project will convert what is currently a subsistence crop into a cash crop, creating valuable and sustainable economic opportunities in a fragile region where, after years of fighting, the land has been depleted and is unsuitable for many crops. Opportunities along the supply chain for other private entrepreneurs, in areas such as cassava processing, input supply, distribution and retail networks, will amplify the wider benefits for the local economy."

In May 2009 Southern Sudan Beverages Ltd (SSBL) began production of Southern Sudan's first locally produced beer, White Bull Lager. SSBL's new beverage plant is the first local manufacturing facility in Southern Sudan's capital city, Juba and has the capacity to brew 180,000 hl of clear beer and 60,000 hl of carbonated soft drinks annually. This brings the total number of African countries that SABMiller plc now has interests in, to 35.

SABMiller plc is one of the world's largest brewers with brewing interests and distribution agreements across six continents. The group's wide portfolio of brands includes premium international beers such as Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Miller Genuine Draft and Grolsch, as well as leading local brands such as Aguila, Castle, Miller Lite, Snow and Tyskie.

In the year ended 31 March 2010, the group reported US$3,803 million adjusted pre-tax profit and group revenue of US$26,350 million. SABMiller plc is listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.


30 June, 2010