E-Malt.com News article: Chile: Winemaker Vina Concha y Toro to enter Chile’s beer market

Leading Chilean winemaker Vina Concha y Toro announced on February, 1 that it has signed a trading agreement with the controller group of Cervezas Kross.

The agreement contemplates the acquisition of a minimum of 40% of the beer company. This is the first time that the Chilean winery has taken a participation in a company of a sector not belonging to the wine business and the objective will be to participate actively in the premium segment of the national beer market.

"This segment is one having the greatest growth potential in the domestic market, very much in line with international consumer trends. Kross, together with Comercial Peumo, has shown strong sales growth, increasing the presence of the brand and reaching an important standard of quality, positioning it as a benchmark premium beer for the most demanding consumer. By entering this business, Concha y Toro will be able to take Kross from its present positive situation to unimaginable growth levels, in turn taking advantage of know-how in marketing, logistics and distribution by being distributed by Concha y Toro y Toro and its commercial network," said Cristian Canevaro, general manager of Comercial Peumo, Concha y Toro's wine distribution subsidiary in Chile.

Jose Tomas Infante, general manager of Cerveceria Kross said:

"Since its beginnings, the Concha y Toro subsidiary, Comercial Peumo, has believed in our brand and helped us with the distribution of our niche beers in Chile, achieving a very successful sales performance and the construction of the brand nation-wide. This strategic alliance excites us enormously as it will enable Kross to reach all corners of Chile and more consumers can taste and enjoy our beers, helping to consolidate a beer-drinking culture. In addition, the alliance provides us with the possibility of placing our brand in foreign markets, given the solid commercial platform of Vina Concha y Toro worldwide, thus contributing to the development of the country's image."

Both companies have reaffirmed their wish to convert Cerveza Kross into a benchmark in the Chilean beer market, opening up future growth prospects for the brand.


02 February, 2011