Mexico: Modelo to distribute Carlsberg beer

Mexican brewer Modelo, maker of the Corona brand, said on Wednesday it reached a deal to import and distribute Carlsberg, Reuters reported May 23.

Modelo said the exclusive five-year agreement with Danish Carlsberg, the world's sixth-biggest beer brewer, would begin in the second half of 2007.

"It is an excellent opportunity to broaden our portfolio of imported brands with a really classy European beer and at the same time to strengthen our leadership in this segment," said Modelo's Chairman Carlos Fernandez.

Imported beer volumes have grown rapidly in recent years in Mexico, where two companies, Modelo and rival Femsa, dominate domestic brewing.

Modelo is half owned by U.S. beer giant Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc.