About US$ 300 million was invested in Russian brewing branch during 2002 year, Alexander Pavlov, the deputy head of the Agriculture Ministry's food industry department, reported in a statement. According to the speaker, foreign investments accounted for $USD 150 of total investments volume. Alexander Pavlov also mentioned that a 10-12% per year growth of beer production is expected in the next 4-5 years.

Anatolii Belichenco, the President of the Union of nonalcoholic beverages producers, supposes a 7-10% growth per year of brewing branch in Russia. He reported that, according to the Union estimation, beer output in 2002 came to 70.5 million hl of beer, in 2003 it may come to 75.8 million hl, in 2004 – 79.6 million hl and in 2005 – 82.8 million hl.

28 March, 2003