Anheuser-Busch Global Sales
China Leads Growth In International Beer Revenues
© Daniel Workman
Mar 14, 2007
America's largest brewer aggressively pursues China as the international beer market with the highest potential for future sales.
In recent years, spirit and wine makers like Diageo and Constellation Brands continue to gain market share from brewers. Highly concentrated and competitive, the U.S. beer industry faces low single-digit growth.
SAB Miller, Molson Coors and the largest U.S. brewer Anheuser-Busch dominate 90% of the American beer market.
Anheuser-Busch's many beer brands include Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob, Michelob Honey Lager, Busch, Busch Ice and Bare Knuckle Stout. The company is particularly focused on international beer sales to expand its global trade footprint.
Global Beer Sales
Anheuser-Busch's beer products are sold in more than 80 countries and U.S. territories. The multinational beer giant now sells about 35% of its total beer volume outside the U.S.
Anheuser-Busch's total beer volume was 157 million barrels in 2006, up 5.6% from 2005. Domestic beer volume rose a paltry 1.2%.
International volume from Anheuser-Busch brands produced overseas plus exports from the company's U.S. breweries rose 9.3% to 23 million barrels for 2006. International volume via partnerships with foreign brewers grew near 20% to 32 million barrels, principally due to sales of Tsingtao brand in China and Modelo beer in Mexico.
International Growth Strategy Targets China
Anheuser-Busch's multinational beer strategy is simple: expand the Budweiser brand internationally while entering into strong partnerships with top beer makers across the globe.
During the past five years, the Chinese beer industry has expanded mor ...