Category: Beverages

Heineken purchases 39.6m shares of United Breweries to bolster position as majority owner

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INDIA- Heineken International B.V., the world’s second-largest brewing company, has acquired an additional 39.6 million shares of United Breweries, a leading alcoholic beverage company in India.  With the acquisition, Heineken’s shareholding in United Breweries (UB) has increased to 61.50% from 46.50%, increasing the company’s influence on its India’s subsidiary and cementing its position as majority owner.   The acquisition is a major win for Heineken as UB has undisputed market leadership with a national market share in excess of 50%.   The UB Group today controls 60% of the total manufacturing capacity…

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Kenya’s Tropikal Brands offers consumers a shot of Vitamin C with launch of immune-boosting energy drink

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KENYA – Tropikal Brands Afrika Limited, one of Kenya’s fast growing consumer goods manufacturer, has launched an immune-boosting energy drink dubbed Super-C. According to the company, the energy & immune booster is packed with antioxidants aimed to ensure consumers get a healthy dose of Vitamin – C. Coming in a 100ml bottle, Super C is widely available in all pharmacies and retail outlets in country. “With the goal of ensuring our consumers live a healthy lifestyle, our consumer healthcare division lead by Marley Gitau and assisted by bonnie K. Damaris…

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CHI Limited launches fruity beverage bursting with vitamins, minerals dubbed Chivita Active Zest

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NIGERIA – CHI Limited, Nigeria’s leading fruit juice, drinking yoghurt, evaporated milk, and snacks manufacturer, has expanded its Chivita Active brand with launch of Chivita Active Zest. The new product is made from a mix of 5 citrus fruits and fortified with Vitamin C for immunity boosting, Vitamin B1 and D3 for faster body metabolism and calcium for optimum bone health. CHI notes that, it has used all-natural ingredients, no artificial preservatives and flavours. The healthy drink option comes in a premium 330ml Can, targeting the trendy on-the-go consumers, complimenting…

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Kenya’s leading alcohol producer EABL hikes prices on back of tough operating environment

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KENYA – Kenyan alcohol lovers will be forced to dig deeper into their pockets to purchase some of their favourite brands from the East African Breweries Limited’s (EABL), after the alcohol producer revised some of its prices upwards. According to report by The Nation, EABL has made a price increase of between Ksh. 10 (US$0.093) and Ksh. 500 (US$4.64) depending on the type of drink and quantities. The price revision affects beers brands such as Whitecap Light, Tusker Lite, Cider and Malt, Guinness (regular), Whitecap Lager, Balozi and Hop House…

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Constellation Brands eyes a share of rapidly growing mezcal drinks market with investment in ‘Dos Hombres’

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US – Leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits Constellation Brands has invested in Dos Hombres’, an artisanal and hand-crafted mezcal brand owned by created by Breaking Bad co-stars Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston. The investment was made through Constellation’s venture capital group gives the US beer company a minority share in the company and a footing in the fast-growing mezcal beverage market. Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from any type of agave. The Mexican alcoholic drink can reach an alcohol content of 55% and…

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South Africa issues petroleum company bp with liquor licence first of its kind

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SOUTH AFRICA – The multinational oil and gas company, bp, has broken the record of becoming the first petroleum company in South Africa to be granted a liquor licence. The company has collaborated with one of its convenience partners, Pick n Pay, to offer a new product dubbed wine-to-go. With this, South Africans can pop in at Pick n Pay Express located at the petroleum station and grab a bottle. This according to bp forms part of its redefining convenience strateg, aimed to deliver a superior customer experience, whether in-store…

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Mighty Craft to become Australia’s largest craft spirit producer following 3 major acquisitions

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AUSTRALIA – Mighty Craft, a craft drinks accelerator, is on its way to becoming Australia’s largest craft spirit producer, following the acquisition of three south Australian craft beverage businesses – Adelaide Hills Distillery, Mismatch Brewing, and Hills Cider. Mighty Craft is reported to have spent AUD 47 million (approx. US$36 million) in the venture which it says will enable it to transform into a scaled alcohol producer, wholesaler and retailer. Apart from the distilleries, the deal also includes a 75% ownership stake in the Lot 100 venue – a destination…

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French Malteries Soufflet cuts ribbon to its first African malting house in Ethiopia

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ETHIOPIA – The Soufflet Group, a French agri-food company, through its malting division, Malteries Soufflet, has officially launched its new processing factory in Ethiopia. Construction of the plant started in March 2019, with its first production test undertaken in the beginning of the year, and is now in continuous production. The IFC, a subsidiary of the World Bank, was the financial partner in the industrial project and continues to support the group in the development of barley cultivation via the NGO EUCORD (European Cooperative for Rural Development). The new Addis…

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E&J Gallo invests US$423m in new US plant to support future business growth

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US – E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo), a global wine and spirits company, has announced plans to build a new state-of-the-art production facility and distribution center in Chester County, United States to support future business growth and its long-term innovation plans. According to a statement from family-owned company, the new facility to be constructed at a cost of US$423 million will create 496 new jobs over the next eight years. The facility will provide bottling and canning capacity as well as warehousing and distribution for the company’s growing portfolio…

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Delta Corporation benefits from product, market diversification reports 39% rise in full year revenue

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ZIMBABWE – Delta Corporation, Zimbabwe’s largest beverage manufacturer has reported a 39% rise in full year revenue to ZW$ 40.45 billion (US$111.7m) for the year ended March 2021. The revenue growth, according to the manufacturing giant was driven by inflation induced pricing across all product categories. Delta operates in four segments: non-alcoholic beverages, sparkling beverages, lager beers and traditional beers. Its lager beer volumes grew by 17% compared to prior year, with the volume recovery attained mostly during the second and third quarters following the relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions.…

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