JAPAN: Kirin to use Chinese ops for Korea exports

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 26 June 2006

Japan's largest brewer Kirin is reportedly planning to use its operations in China to ship beer meant for South Korea.

A report in the Japanese press last weekend said Kirin would use its Chinese breweries to produce its Ichiban Shibori brand. The move is part of the company's larger strategy to make China the core production base for all of Asia, Nikkei Report said.

Kirin also wants to generate 30% of sales and profits from markets outside Japan by 2015 as the domestic beer market continues to stagnate. Japan's top five brewers have seen mainstream beer sales fall below 50% of the market for the first time and have decided to focus more on low-alcohol beverages, including the booming chuhai segment.

Sectors: Beer & cider

Companies: Kirin