BALTIKA, the Russian brewer jointly owned by Scottish & Newcastle and Carslberg, plans to add Iraq and Cuba to its export map next year.
The St Petersburg-based company yesterday also said its new Baltika No 7 beer will make its world debut on draught in Glasgow this week.
A spokesman for Scottish Brewers said: ''Draught Baltika is being introduced to the UK following the success of the bottled variety Baltika is the number one brand in Russia and the second-biggest brand in Europe.''
The new beer will be launched at Stavka on Sauchiehall Street, in Glasgow, but Scottish Brewers will be rolling the brand out to selected outlets in Scotland with 30 targeted to stock Baltika on draught by the beginning of December.
Meanwhile, Baltika said it plans to raise its export volumes to 180 million litres next year, compared with just 41 million litres in 2001 when it began shipping abroad.
''There are quite a lot of people who like to taste new brands,'' said Dmitry Kistev, Baltika director for exports.
In 2001, export volumes accounted for 1% of Baltika's overall sales, but the company hopes to raise that to 6.5% this year and 9% in 2005.
The ultimate goal is to export 15% to 18% of production, Kistev said.
Russia's biggest beer exporter, which has recently started deliveries to New Zealand, sells the amber liquid in 35 countries. It plans to enter markets in Brazil, Cuba, India and Iraq next year.
''We think military operations will continue next year,'' he said of Iraq, adding that Baltika hoped mainly to
supply coalition forces with its beer.
''It will be Baltika No 9, our strongest beer with 8% alcohol content. We already have orders, maybe deliveries will start even this year.''
Meanwhile, Scottish & Newcastle last week reported robust trading, in spite of a wet summer across much of western Europe, boosting its shares as it avoided the profit warnings of other consumer goods firms.
''We have seen a difficult trading environment, but we are performing well within the market,'' said Ian McHoul, S&N's finance director.
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