Denmark: Carlsberg to expect much from the emerging markets

“Carlsberg’s debt weighs too heavily to enter markets where it has little exposure, but the company would consider purchases in western China and Vietnam”, Carlsberg’s chief executive, Nils S Andersen, said May 17 in a interview.

Andersen said the company affords to make more acquisitions in markets which are not new for Carlsberg. The brewer is prepared to explore more areas such as western China and Vietnam. “But we can’t go out and conquer the world,” he added.

Carlsberg’ official confirmed that the company is prepared to take risks, but only in emerging markets. “We’re now involved in 20 breweries in China and two in Vietnam, there are no changes to be made (in our position in the countries) but we still consider the two markets as important emerging markets.” the official said.

Reasonable returns from Asian interests are not expected until around 2013 and 2015. “Future growth for us is more likely to come from emerging markets,” the company said.

Earlier this month, Carlsberg, posted a first-quarter operating profit of DKK83 million (US$14.2 million), a turnaround on a loss of DKK22 million for the corresponding quarter a year earlier.

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