Uzbekistan: Next stop for BBH: Tashkent

Baltic Beverages Holding AB (BBH) is to invest in a new brewery in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The move into Uzbekistan is in line with BBH’s strategy of entering into emerging markets, the company released June 08.

Uzbekistan has a population of 27 million, a growing economy and increasing levels of beer consumption (annual consumption ca 10 litres per capita). The domestic beer market has developed positively over the past couple of years and BBH believes that it has the potential to grow strongly in the future.

The brewery will be operational by the spring of 2007, and will have an initial capacity of 1 million hectolitres per annum, with the ability to increase production subject to demand. BBH will team up with a local partner in Uzbekistan, Sarbast Plus, and will hold a share of 75.1%. The total investment is EUR 50 million.

Baltic Beverages Holding AB (BBH) is a 50:50 owned joint venture between Carlsberg A/S and Scottish & Newcastle plc. BBH operates 18 breweries in six countries in Eastern Europe, including Russia where it is the market leader with a 35% market share.