World’s largest brewer, American beer maker Anheuser-Busch, is looking for a brewing company in Russia, Russian media reported on December 12. According to the reports Anheuser-Busch tried to start negotiations with the shareholders of Russian brewery Ochakovo in August this year. The president of Ochakovo, Alexey Kochetov, confirmed that he has a conversation with American company’s representatives. However Ochakovo is not going to change its position and will continue working without the presence of foreign capital, Kochetov said. Anheuser Busch spokesman said that the company met the shareholders of several Russian breweries. However he refused to comment the rumors, Russian press said.

Anheuser Busch owns 12 breweries in USA, two in United Kingdom and China and also has license agreements with the producers in 10 countries. In 2002 world sales of Anheuser Busch were more than 15 billion litres. That is twice more than the annual volume of all Russian market.

The main brand of Anheuser Busch is Budweiser or Bud as export brand. In Russia Bud is being sold in small lots since 2002, mainly in Moscow and St Petersburg. Anheuser Busch has no other choice than to launch its brand production in Russia, otherwise in three years the company will lose its right to sell Bud in Russia, and the Czechs will make use of that. Anheuser Busch has legal proceedings with Czech brewery Budweiser-Budvar for 100 years for the right of Budweiser brand. In May 2001 American brewer succeeded to register its brand in Russia. According to Russian legislation the owner of the rights should start producing the brand in five years otherwise it will loose them automatically.

19 December, 2003