Brazil's leading beverage company, AmBev - Companhia de Bebidas das Américas, has announced that its total investment in Peru for 2003 and 2004 will reach the value of US$80 million. AmBev, the world fifth largest brewer, began building a new plant in the suburbs of the Peruvian capital Lima earlier this year. It is expected to begin production in the second quarter of 2004. The beer produced in the plant will be earmarked for the Peruvian market and the markets of the neighbouring countries, according to the company.

The investment underlines AmBev’s commitment to its internationalisation strategy. AmBev is currently present in most South and Latin American countries.

Total annual sales volumes in the Peruvian market were approximately 5.6 million hectoliters in 2002, representing revenues of close to US$400 million. Annual consumption per capita averaged 22.0 liters, among the lowest in the region, while average consumer prices ranked among the highest in the region.

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