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Vietnamese beer sales now drive revenues for Sabeco’s new Thai owner

By Rajiv MenonVietnam
1 min read
sabeco viet
sabeco viet
In this article (5)

Vietnamese brewery Sabeco has contributed 46 percent of the revenues of Thai parent ThaiBev in the first quarter of 2018-19. For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, it reported sales of VND13 trillion ($560.58 million) as ThaiBev announced net profits of VND5.54 trillion ($238.83 million) on total revenues of VND54.28 trillion ($2.34 billion), 35 percent and 60 percent up year-on-year.

Beer products became its revenue driver for the first time with sales of VND24.84 trillion ($1.07 billion). Though spirits sales saw strong growth, their share of revenues dropped from 54 percent to 43 percent.

In terms of sales by market, the group reported 52 billion baht ($1.66 billion) in Thailand, down to 71 percent from 96 percent last year. The other significant amount was Vietnam’s VND13 trillion or 23.9 percent.

ThaiBev said while consumption in Southeast Asia is generally slowing, Sabeco has sustained impressive growth.

Two months ago the Thai group became the majority shareholder in the Vietnamese brewer with a 53.59 percent stake following a debt-to-equity swap.

It believes the acquisition of Sabeco would help its expansion in Vietnam, which has a youthful population, extensive distribution network and the strongest beer market growth in the region.

Sabeco, formally known as Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp, reported a 5 percent rise in revenues last year to more than VND36 trillion ($1.56 billion).

It has a 42.8 percent share of the Vietnamese beer market, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation.

According to the Vietnam Beverage Association (VBA), the Vietnamese beer market is worth $3.4 billion.

Securities company FPT Securities predicts the market will grow by 5-6 percent a year.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What percentage of ThaiBev's revenue came from Sabeco in the first quarter of 2018-19?

A.

Sabeco contributed 46 percent of ThaiBev's revenues in the first quarter of 2018-19. This demonstrates the Vietnamese brewery's significant financial impact on its Thai parent company.

Q.

When did ThaiBev become the majority shareholder in Sabeco, and what stake does it hold?

A.

ThaiBev became the majority shareholder two months ago, securing a 53.59 percent stake in Sabeco. This acquisition followed a debt-to-equity swap, giving the Thai group control.

Q.

What is the current estimated value of the Vietnamese beer market?

A.

According to the Vietnam Beverage Association (VBA), the Vietnamese beer market is currently worth an estimated $3.4 billion. Securities company FPT Securities anticipates this market will grow by 5-6 percent annually.

Q.

How much of the Vietnamese beer market does Sabeco currently control?

A.

Sabeco holds a 42.8 percent share of the Vietnamese beer market. This figure, provided by the Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation, highlights its dominant position within the country.

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