Sept 2 (Reuters) - Big beverage firms are expanding their reach into Asian markets to gain exposure to a growing class of wealthy and brand-conscious consumers.
For a related ANALYSIS on Southeast Asia's fast-growing drinks sector: [ID:nSGE67T03C]
Here are some recent moves by major firms:
FRASER & NEAVE <FRNM.SI>
The beverage and property conglomerate said in late August it has agreed to buy a 23.08 stake in Malaysia's Cocoaland Holdings Berhad <CCLD.KL> for $17.40 million to expand its food business.
KIRIN HOLDINGS <2503.T>
The Japanese brewer said in July it will buy a 14.7 percent stake in beverage and property conglomerate Fraser & Neave <FRNM.SI> for $953 million. [ID:nSGE66P0DT]
Kirin already owns a 48 percent stake in San Miguel Brewery <SMB.PS>, the beer arm of southeast Asia's biggest food and drinks group San Miguel Corp <SMC.PS><SMCB.PS>.
PEPSICO INC <PEP.N>
Pepsi said on Aug. 16 it plans to invest $250 million on a variety of projects in Vietnam over the next three years as it looks for more growth in emerging markets. [ID:nN16257348]
Pepsi and partner Strategic Beverages (Thailand) in June cancelled a tender to buy all the shares in Thai Bottler Serm Suk <SSC.BK> after failing to get the minimum specified in their bid. The outcome of the tender offer did not affect PepsiCo's long-term commitment to Thailand, the companies said. [ID:nSGE65a02K]
ASAHI BREWERIES <2502.T>
Japan's Asahi Breweries said on Aug.26 it will buy Australian fruit juice maker P&N Beverages for A$364 million. [ID:nTOE67P05Y]
Asahi president said on Aug.3 the company expects to have $9.2 billion for acquisitions over the next five years, with a focus on Asia and Oceania. [ID:nTOE67107L]
COCA-COLA <KO.N>
The world's No.1 soft drinks company in March announced the construction of a bottling plant in Malaysia. The plant is the first step in Coca-Cola's plan to invest $285 million in Malaysia over five years, the company said.
In September 2009, Coca-Cola said it would invest more than $200 million in Vietnam over three years. [ID:nHAN411583]
SAPPORO HOLDINGS <2501.T>
Japan's Sapporo Holdings said in December it would enter the Vietnamese market by taking a 65 percent stake in a beer joint venture with Vietnam National Tobacco Corp. [ID:nTOE5B90A2] (Reporting by James Topham in Tokyo and Dhara Ranasinghe in Singapore; Editing by Valerie Lee) ((dhara.ranasinghe@thomsonreuters.com; +65 6870 3277)) Keywords: BEVERAGES/ASIA
