Bulgaria & Macedonia: Kamenitza Brewery enters Macedonian market

Kamenitza AD, a unit of Inbev, has been selling beer on the Macedonian market since May, the company announced on June 14 in connection with the 10th anniversary of its acquisition by Belgium's InBev, the world's biggest brewer by volume, according to Seeurope news agency.

The company is shipping to Macedonia only 1% of its output at the moment but the Kamenitza beer has nevertheless found a warm welcome on the neighbouring market, said InBev director general for Bulgaria Andreas Seemuller. The parent company has invested a total of 130 mln levs in long-term fixed assets, advertising, brand development and human resources since its arrival in Bulgaria.

Kamenitza leads the January-May sales rankings with 480,000 hectoliters, up 4.5% year-on-year, and a market share of 31.2%, shows data of the Union of Bulgarian Brewers (UBB). Zagorka Heineken came in second with sales of 458,000 hectoliters and a market share of 29.41% while Carlsberg Bulgaria was third with 312,000 hectoliters.

Kamenitza launched the production of the Staropramen beer brand at its brewery in Haskovo a couple of weeks ago after launching an unfiltered Kamenitsa subbrand. The company produces the nation's only alcohol-free beer, Kamenitza 0%.

InBev's Bulgarian brand basket consists of Stella Artois, Beck's, Staropramen, Astika, Burgasko, Kamenitza, Pleven and Slavena. The flagship brand Kamenitza generated for the brewer sales of 820,000 hectoliters in 2004.

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