Belarus: Carlsberg interested in increasing its share of the Belarusian beer market while the nation’s total beer production drops 0.6% in 2008

International brewing concern Carlsberg A/S (Denmark) is interested in increasing its share in the Belarusian market, Jannik Munksgaard, Carlsberg’s Production Director for Eastern Europe, was quoted as saying by The National Legal Internet Portal of Belarus on January, 29.

“If some opportunities to increase our share in the Belarusian market are found, we will seriously consider them,” Mr. Munksgaard said.

According to Mr. Munksgaard, the company is now preparing its annual financial report. It will be presented several weeks later. “This is why we are somewhat restricted in speaking about the company plans for the next year,” he said when asked whether Carlsberg intends to increase its share in Olivaria Brewery and whether Carlsberg is interested in buying shares of other Belarusian breweries.

Last year’s market share of 18.4% secured the company’s second position on the Belarusian beer market after Krinitsa (38.4%). In 2008 Olivaria increased beer production up to 65 million litres, 43% up on 2007.

In May 2008 Olivaria Brewery became part of the international concern Carlsberg A/S (Denmark), which bought out the share of Baltic Beverages Holding (BBH) from Scottish & Newcastle (UK). At present Carlsberg is the strategic investor and one of Olivaria’s key shareholders, owning 30% of the shares.

Meanwhile, the total output of Belarusian beer in 2008 amounted to 3.5 mln hl, 0.6% less than in 2007, Interfax West news agency cited data by Belgospischeprom on January, 30.

30 January, 2009