The shares were acquired at a price of DKK 60 million from the German brewery Bitburger who have thus sold their remaining shares in Carlsberg Okocim. Carlsberg Breweries now owns 85 per cent of the shares in Carlsberg Okocim.
The acquisition is part of Carlsberg Breweries' strategy to increase its shareholding in important breweries.
The Polish state and the Danish IØ-foundation own close to 11% of Carlsberg Okocim and the rest of the shares (approx. 4 per cent) are held by private investors.
Poland is the 10th largest beer market in the world. In 2002, the total consumption was 27 million hl beer which is equivalent to a yearly per capita consumption of 69 litres. Over the past five years, the annual consumption has increased by approx. 7 per cent.
Carlsberg Okocim has a market share of 14 per cent and Carlsberg is the fastest growing premium brand in Poland.