HA NOI-- Vietnamese beverage producers plan to produce about 4 billion litres of beer in 2017, up by 10 per cent from 2016, according to the Vietnam Beer Alcohol Beverage (VBA).

In 2016, domestic production has already reached nearly 3.8 billion litres of beer, about 85.6 per cent of the predetermined goal.

The Saigon Alcohol Beer and Beverages Corporation (Sabeco) produces the most beer in Việt Nam, with a total of 1.6 billion litres of various beers in 2016.

Heineken’s Vietnam Brewery limited company, having acquired several beverage factories from other businesses in the same field, has risen to second place--with the total amount produced over 1.1 billion litres.

Beer accounts for 94 per cent of alcoholic beverage consumption in Việt Nam.

According to Canadean, world-class research company on international soft drink and alcoholic beverage industries, the market for the alcoholic beverage in Viet Nam has doubled growth in the past 10 years at a 6.4 per cent per year growth rate and 5.7 per cent for the past 5 years.

Prediction for beer production growth in the next 5 years is around 4 to 5 per cent per annum with the higher value as high-end products have become more appreciated in the market.

The alcoholic beverage business in recent years has grown in accordance with State regulations, said Le Van Duoc, VBA’s representative. However, he also said that predictability and stability of several policies--such as special consumption tax on the beverage business--remained a difficulty to overcome for beer and alcohol producers today. — VNS