Carlsberg Breweries A/S, the Danish brewing force, now controls 75% of its Polish subsidiary, Carlsberg Okocim S.A., after the Danish brewery has acquired another 3.5% of the share capital in Polish brewer. The Danish company has bought the additional 1 million shares (3.5%) from the German brewery Bitburger. The shares were acquired at a price of DKK 28 million, the company reported and added that the acquisition will not influence the financial results for 2003.

Okocim, holds around 14% of the Polish beer market. Last year Okocim posted an operating profit of PLN7.6m and a net profit of PLN2.8m. In 2001, Carlsberg has undertaken not to increase its stake beyond a 75% threshold and keep Okocim as a publicly traded company until Poland joins the EU.

26 March, 2003