Russia: Russian brewing force Baltika started brewing beer brand Foster’s at its plant in Saint Petersburg. The famous beer of Australia brewed by Baltika is to appear at the beginning of November and will be available for sale in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other Russia’s cities. Foster’s beer brand is brewed under the licence of The Foster's European Partnership. By launching the new beer brand Baltika is strengthening its position on the licence market segment. Foster’s is its second licence beer brand launched by the brewer: since 2002 Baltika has been brewing Carlsberg beer under licence. Thanks to Carlsberg the brewer increased its share on the licence market segment 7.5 times.

Foster's Lager is the largest selling Australian beer brand in the world with more than 100 million cases of Foster's consumed worldwide every year. Brewed in nine countries and over 20 plants, Foster's Lager is widely sold and distributed throughout Australia, Asia, the Pacific, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East. It is the world's third most widely distributed brand, available in more than 150 countries. Foster's Lager is the international flagship brand for the Foster's group.

Foster's Group has a total operating revenue of A$5.2 billion with operations across the globe in Australia, New Zealand, China, California, Italy, Chile, Vietnam, India and Fiji. As an Australian public company with a global focus and a business balance across 150 countries, Foster's emphasises excellence in manufacturing, technological innovation, the development of superior brands and working collaboratively with our customers and key suppliers to build brand equity. These attributes, combined with Foster's business philosophy of building long-term growth through this clear focus on brand equity, margin management and capital efficiency, are driving Foster's to generate increased shareholder value and maintain its status as a leading global investment choice.

12 November, 2004