Asia

Carlsberg is one of the leading brewery groups in Asia with a long-standing presence in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore, and recent investments in emerging markets of China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, South Asia and India.

Asia currently accounts for approx. 6% of the Group’s revenue. This is expected to increase significantly as the Asian beer markets are among the fastest growing in the world.

Conditions and challenges in the region’s more mature markets are very similar to those in Western Europe. Here Carlsberg’s strategy is to grow value through innovation and developing the product portfolio.

In the emerging markets, activities are still in a development phase and focus on establishing fundamental portfolio and sales tools. These countries have low but rapidly growing beer consumption due to strong economic growth and a shift from spirits to beer. A strong product range, comprising both local beers and the Carlsberg brand, should see the Group benefit greatly from this trend.

Carlsberg has recently taken the first steps in establishing a presence in India where a new brewery, built in joint venture with South Asia Breweries Ltd, is due to commence production in Rajasthan early in 2008.

Another new brewery is being built in Vietnam, where Carlsberg has been approved as a strategic partner in the privatisation of the state-owned brewery Hanoi Beer & Beverage Corporation (Habeco). Carlsberg also acquired a stake in the Halong Brewery in 2007.