Belgium-based Inbev, the world leader on the beer market, is planning to buy the international operations of Turkish beer producer Efes as part of its plans for expansion, mainly on the Russian market, according to the Russian publication Kommersant, as quoted by Reuters. InBev owns Interbrew Romania, the third-largest player on the Romanian market.
Anadolu Efes, the parent company of Efes Breweries International (EBI), yesterday denied reports of plans to sell its international division. After the rumours hit the market, EBI stock gained more than 5%.
The agreement is estimated at 1 billion dollars (830 million euros) and may include the Turkish group''s operations in Russia, Kazakhstan, Serbia and Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova and Romania. Interbrew Romania and Efes signed a production deal six years ago - the Belgian group owns 50% in the Ploiesti-based Efes plant and the rights to the two brands sold by Efes on the Romanian market, Efes (premium segment) and Caraiman (local mainstream segment).
Mihai Albu, the general manager of Interbrew Romania, was unavailable to comment on the consequences of the potential transaction on the Romanian beer market. If Inbev takes over Efes, the shares in the Ploiesti-based factory would be transferred to Interbrew Romania, since the two Turkish brands are already part of the portfolio of the world leader''s Romanian branch. Moreover, Efes'' operations in Romania are run by Interbrew, as the Turkish company only participates in the sharing of annual profits.
Interbrew Romania was the third-largest market player last year, when it broke two important psychological thresholds: turnover over 100 million euros and production of more than 2 million litres.
The company owns the Stella Artois and Becks brands (international premium segment), Bergenbier (national mainstream segment) and Noroc (economic segment). Interbrew is also one of the big players in the special beer segment, with two brands, Leffe and Hoegaarden. Interbrew has invested more than 135 million euros over the past ten years. It owns three breweries, has nationwide distribution and employs 800 people. stelian.negrea@zf.ro
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