DENMARK: Carlsberg eyes Chinese acquisitions

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 14 August 2003

Carlsberg Breweries has indicated that is going to continue a recent run of acquisitions in China.

In an interview with the news agency Reuters earlier this week, Carlsberg Breweries' senior vice president Jesper Madsen said: "There are some 400 to 500 breweries in China and there are some good brewers in which we could be interested."

Madsen went on to say that the company had up to €2.5 billion to spend on acquisitions. "Competition is severe and we may have to react fast," he added.

Already this year, Carlsberg has bought the Dali brewer and a stake in Kunming brewery, both in Yunnan province.

Madsen said that at present the Chinese business does not contribute to Carlsberg's profits, but within a few years, it was looking for "assurance they will start doing so".

Sectors: Beer & cider

Companies: Carlsberg