Invest-in-Serbia: Private FDI Information, Strategic communication and Consulting Service for SEE, Custom Analysis and Reports - Large interest in Serbia and Montenegro beer market

Foreigners bought our biggest breweries

In Serbia and Montenegro there are 12 breweries. Foreign companies are major owners in four of them, while the State owns three breweries only.

The fact that Belgian company called 'Interbru', has purchased the largest part of 'Apatinska Pivara' and 'Niksicka Pivara' proves that foreigners are increasingly conquering our beer market.

According to estimations by the Agency for privatization, 'Interbru' in 2003 entered strategic partnership with 'Apatinska Pivara' thus becoming owner of 50 percents of shares. By investing 326 million Euros it will undertake the company hundred percents.

Also, 'Celarevo Pivara' and 'Karlsberg' became strategic partners in October 2003 with 51 percents of shares owned by foreign partner. 'Karlsberg' has already undertaken to invest until 2010 the amount of 47 million Euros in production of 'Lion', 'Tuborg' or 'Karlsberg' beer.

Turkish 'Efes' is increasingly investing in purchase and development of Serbian beer industry. 'Efes' has already purchase the brewery in Pancevo and is finalizing the deal with 'Sedmi Septembar' of Zajecar.

As regarding Belgrade 'BIP', the State is presently owner of 51.31 percents of shares that will be soon offered for sale at public tender.

Almost all of the remaining breweries are also negotiating various deals with foreign partners.

Source: Blic