With its population of 15 million, Kazakhstan is one of the fastest-growing economies among the former Soviet republics. The beer market has experienced 100% growth since 1999 and it offers strong growth and profit potential. The market is fragmented between a large number of small players.
In November 2002, Baltic Beverages Holding (BBH), a joint venture between Carlsberg and Scottish & Newcastle, acquired a 76% share in the Irbis brewery, situated in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
In May 2003, BBH also acquired the total share capital of the Ak-Nar brewery in Almaty. This brewery is now called Derbes - meaning "Independent" – after its main brand. It is a relatively new brewery with a capacity of 0.6 million hl and the potential for further expansion.
The Irbis and Derbes brands both hold strong positions in Kazakhstan. Irbis is a leading premium brand, while Derbes leads the standard segment in the Almaty region and is well known nationwide.
KEY DATES:
2002: BBH acquires 76% stake in the Irbis Brewery
2003: BBH acquires total share capital of the Ak-Nar Brewery
KEY FACTS:
Sites: 2
Consumption per person: about 20 litres (predicted to double to about 40 by the end of 2007)
BHH ownership: 76% Irbis Brewery and 100% Ak-Nar Brewery
BRANDS:
Irbis, Derbes, Baltika
CONTACTS:
BBH Head Office in Finland
Mikonkatu 15 B
PO Box 119
00101 Helsinki
Finland
Tel: +358-9-5425 2911
Fax: +358-9-5425 2900
BBH Head Office in Sweden
Masungsvägen 28
Box 20182
S-16102 Bromma
Sweden
Tel: +46-8-799 8400
Fax: +46-8-291 303
E-Mail: info@bbh.se
DID YOU KNOW THAT ..?
- Irbis means “snow leopard” in the Kazakh language. The snow leopard is the national symbol of Kazakhstan.
Revised 2007