Kazakhstan  

With its population of 16 million, Kazakhstan is one of the fastest-growing economies among CIS countries. The beer market has experienced 100% growth since 1999 and it offers strong growth and profit potential.

In 2002 Carlsberg entered the beer market of Kazakhstan via purchase of the major ownership in a local Irbis brewery (through the JV BBH). Later in 2003 Carlsberg acquired one more local brewery Ak-Nar, which produced the very popular local beer DERBES. Later that same year these two breweries were merged into one on the production site of Ak-Nar Brewery. By the end of 2005 the Ak-Nar Brewery was renamed into the DERBES Brewery Ltd. which means Independence or Freedom in Kazakh language.

In April 2008 Carlsberg acquired Scottish & Newcastle shares and became the beneficial owner of the BHH assets in Russia, CIS and Baltic States. As a result DERBES Brewery became the part of the Carlsberg Group. This process was completed in December 2010 when the DERBES Brewery was officially renamed as the Carlsberg Kazakhstan.

Today the Carlsberg Kazakhstan portfolio includes more than 26 beer brands such as Carlsberg, Kronenbourg1664, Tuborg, Baltika, Cooler, Nevskoye, Derbes, Irbis, Alma-Ata, etc. The Company is also the exclusive distributor of the Mexican beer Corona Extra. All brands hold strong leading positions in their segments of the market.

KEY DATES:
1998: Launch of Irbis brand
1999: DERBES beer brand was launched on the eve of Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan
2003: Carlsberg acquires total share capital of the Ak-Nar Brewery and merges it with Irbis brewery (the major ownership of which was acquired in the end of 2002)
2007: launch of  TUBORG Green, the first licensed beer in DERBES`s portfolio
2007: DERBES got Kazakhstan President’s Award in the nomination “Quality achievements”
2008: Carlsberg Group acquired Scottish & Newcastle shares
2009: Carlsberg acquired 100% stake in DERBES Brewery
2010: Integration of Baltika Almaty, LLP to DERBES
2010: Re-naming from DERBES to Carlsberg Kazakhstan
2011: Derbes brand received three international quality awards – Gold Medal by Monde Selection, 2 Stars by iTQi, and Bronze by International Australian Beer Awards.

KEY FACTS:
Brewery: Carlsberg Kazakhstan Ltd.
Per capita consumption: 28,9
Distribution (Carlsberg Group in KZ): 87% of all the accounts that sell beer (source: AC Nielsen, 17 biggest cities, off-trade, December 2011)

MANAGEMENT:

CEO Tuncay Tekdemir