Russia is the world�s 5th largest beer market � after China, USA, Germany and Brazil. The Russian beer market has experienced rapid growth over the last five years and is the 2nd largest beer market in Europe. Growth forecasts project growth of 20% to 2010, when the Russian beer market will reach 95 million hectolitres � more than 4 times the size of the Australian beer market, according to Foster�s Fact Sheet.

Per capita beer consumption in Russia has quadrupled in the last 10 years, but at 53 litres per annum, is still little more than half of that in markets like the UK, USA and Australia. The International premium beer segment accounts for 5.2% of total market volume but has grown fourfold since 2001. This segment is projected to grow by around 40% over the next 2 years. Moscow & St Petersburg dominate premium beer consumption, accounting for 54% of sales.