The Russian beer market is considered one of the fastest-growing in the world. In 2003, it grew by 6.5%, bringing total domestic sales to 7.400 million litres and annual consumption to 51 litres per person. Growth is expected to continue, fuelled by consumers increasing purchasing power as well as their changing drinking habits. Young and middle-aged Russians are shifting away from vodka - the traditional national drink - towards more western-style beverages like beer.
Commercial beer production only officially began in Russia in 1796, when Catherine the Great signed a decree on the development of brewing. According to the Russian Brewers' Union, there are now more than 300 breweries in the country.
Baltika Brewery was established in 1990, and in 1992 became part of a joint venture (named BBH) owned 50% by Carlsberg. Since 2008 it has been owned 100% by Carlsberg. Since its foundation, Baltika has expanded rapidly and today is the largest brewery in the Russian Federation and Eastern Europe.
Russia takes the third place in the world by volume of beer consumed. Around 80% of the beer market in Russia is held by four key international players: Baltika Breweries (Carlsberg Group), SUN InBev, Heineken and Efes.
Holsten
The Holsten Brauerei, which has been part of the Carlsberg Group since 2004, is also active in Russia.
Holsten Premium Beer was launched in Russia in the early 1990s and today is fourth biggest licence brand and the leading German Beer brand in the market. Initially, the beer was exported, but since 1999 it has been brewed under licence.
KEY DATES:
1990: Baltika Brewery founded
1992: Baltika became part of a joint venture owned 50% by Carlsberg.
1999: Holsten beer launched in Russia – produced under licence.
2006: Merger with brewing companies Vena, Pikra and Yarpivo was completed
2008: Baltika is now owned 100% by Carlsberg.
KEY FACTS:
Annual beer consumption per person: 51 litres
Carlsberg Ownership: 100%
Market share in 2008: 38.3%
Sites: 11
Total annual production capacity in Russia: 50 mln hectoliters
Own malt houses: 2
Export: to 50 countries
Employees: 12, 500
MANAGEMENT:
| CEO Anton Artemiev |
CFO Ekaterina Azimina |
 |
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BRANDS:
National brands: Baltika, Nevskoye, Arsenalnoye, Yarpivo, Bolshaya Kruzhka, Zhigulevskoye
Regional brands: Don, DV, Kupecheskoye, Samara, Sibirsky Bochonok, Uralsky Master, Volga
License brands: Carlsberg, Tuborg, Kronenbourg 1664, Asahi Super Dry.
Imported brands: Corona.
CONTACTS:
Baltika Brewery
3, 6 Verkhny per.
St. Petersburg, 194292
Tel: +7 812 325-93-25
E-mail: pr@baltika.ru
Website: www.baltika.ru
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Aleksey Kedrin
Corporate Affairs Director
E-mail: kedrin@spb.baltika.ru
Tel: +7 812 703 71 18
Mob: +7 963 303 01 50
and
Tatiana Antonchik
Corporate Affairs Deputy Director
E-mail: Antonchik@spb.baltika.ru
Tel: +7 812 329 40 73
Mob: +7 963 303 01 63
DID YOU KNOW THAT:
- Baltika is the number one beer brand in Europe in terms of sales
- The Russian beer market is the third largest in the world
Revised 2009