Belarus Food and Drink Report Q4 2009

A marked decline in domestic and foreign investment together with a fall in exports are among the principle factors in BMI's forecast that Belarus' economy will contract by -1.9% in 2009. Historically a market that foreign investors have avoided due largely to the state's prominent role in industry, Belarus has shown some signs that it is willing to adopt more liberal economic policies. Although the underdeveloped beer industry has been the main recipient of foreign investment, other drink industries may gradually come under the radar of regional companies in particular once the downturn passes, as discussed in BMI's recently Belarus Food & Drink Report for Q409.

Belarus' erstwhile highly underdeveloped beer industry is gradually benefitting from the government's steady relaxation in ownership regulations. Carlsberg and Heineken have been the two main recipients.

While Carlsberg made a steady first-move by buying up 30% of Olivaria Brewery ??