Carlsberg has confirmed on November 28 it is “considering various options” for Myanmar following reports it is planning to build a brewery and establish joint-ventures in the country.
Roy Bagattini, Carlsberg’s Asia president, said the group is looking to have a firm plan in place for the South-east Asian country, also known as Burma, by March next year, according to Esmerk Danish News.
The plan includes establishing a brewery, partnering with a local distributor and setting up JVs with state-owned breweries such as Mandalay Brewery and Myanmar Brewery, the report said.
The beer market in Myanmar, which has a population of around 60m, is valued at around US$1bn and the Danish brewer is aiming to gain a 20% share, the report added.
A Carlsberg spokesperson told just-drinks in an emailed statement: “I can confirm that in response to a query regarding Myanmar, we stated that it is an interesting market and we are considering various options.”
The Danish brewer announced in September that it has signed a JV with Singha Corporation to start distribution of its beer in Thailand.
In June, the Coca-Cola Co was the first major drinks company to announce it was returning to Myanmar, following the lifting of US sanctions againt the country. Myanmar has recently taken steps towards democratic reform, after being ruled by a military junta since 1962.
