malterie KarSay in Nitra. This brewery has an
annual capacity of 500,000 hectolitres.
Poland
In Poland the Zywiec brewery further increased
its share of a growing beer market. Earnings
increased. At the start of 1998 we increased our
interest in the brewery from 31.8% to 50.0% by
public offer.
Bulgaria
Our Zagorka brewery posted a positive result.
Beer consumption in Bulgaria suffers from the
effects of recession. At the end of the financial
year we had reinforced our position in the beer
market by acquiring through Brewinvest, our
joint-venture with the Hellenic Bottling
Company, a 60.2% interest in the Ariana brewery
in Sofia with 500,000 hectolitres production
capacity.
ther countries in Europe
Sales of Heineken Export beer in the United
Kingdom outstripped the pace of growth in the
premium lager segment. Heineken Cold Filtered
beer was well able to maintain its market share in
the highly competitive standard lager segment.
Local production of Amstel beer started in 1997.
We further expanded Heineken distribution
in Germany and the brand is now available in
2,000 bars, restaurants and hotels.
Export of Heineken beer to Eastern Europe
continued its upward line. The increase in
Kazakhstan and the Ukraine was spectacular.
In Russia the Heineken brand maintained its
market position excellently in a segment in
decline due to import restrictions. Amstel was
launched on an import basis to seven countries
in Eastern Europe and progresses well.
HEINEKEN N. V.
REPORT OF THE
EXECUTIVE BOARD
19 9 7
27
