Philippines: Kirin reportedly looking to enter beverage market

Japanese FMCG firm Kirin Holdings Company is looking to introduce its beverage range into the Philippines, according to a report in Pack Web Asia.

The move would reportedly be made through San Miguel Brewery (SMB), a company in which Kirin owns a 48.39% stake.

Kirin currently produces and sells water, carbonated soft drinks, juice and RTD tea in countries including China, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia & Brazil, and would introduce its products in the Philippines progressively, according to reports.

Keisuke Nishimura, Kirin senior director, said:  “The beer market is still growing (in the Philippines), but SMB has almost 90% market share so we don’t have so much room to get another market share. To go into the soft drinks business makes sense for us because we can utilize so many platforms of the beer business”.

Mr Nishimura also confirmed that Kirin wase considering exploring the dairy market in the Philippines. “Many of the dairy products are from foreign countries like New Zealand and Australia. We should check whether we can start the dairy business in Philippines”, he said.

Source: Pack Web Asia