CHINA: InBev begins brewery construction - report

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 25 January 2007

InBev has reportedly begun building a brewery in China's eastern Zhejiang prvince.

The Belgium-based brewing giant, the world's largest beer maker by volume, has started work on a plant in Zhoushan, according to the Asia Pulse news agency.

The company is planning to invest CNY300m (US$38.6m) in the project, the news agency said yesterday (24 January). The brewery is expected to have an annual capacity of 2m hectolitres.

InBev has focused on building a strong regional base in south-eastern China. Last year, the brewer snapped up local beer maker Fujian Sedrin for US$730m. The brewer has also been the subject of reports linking it to domestic brewer Beijing Yanjing Brewery, which is the third-largest brewer in China.

Last year, InBev was reported to be looking to buy a 20% stake in Beijing Yanjing, which in the past steadfastly refused approaches from multinational brewers.

Officials at InBev failed to return requests for comment as just-drinks went to press.

Sectors: Beer & cider

Companies: InBev