Report: Carlsberg in talks to sell Russian unit to Chernogolovka

MURMANSK, Apr 6 (PRIME) -- Danish beer brewery Carlsberg Group is in negotiations with Russian water and non-alcoholic beverage producer Chernogolovka and Israel’s CBC to sell its local business, Danish daily Berlingske reported on Wednesday with a reference to sources.

Beer brewing giant Carlsberg that decided to leave the country and to sell its Russian assets on March 28, owns Russia’s largest brewery plant Baltika.

Berlingske reported that Carlsberg was yet to disclose the order of sale and when it should be closed, but Chernogolovka already expressed its interest in buying Baltika, which unites eight large beer breweries and employs more than 8,000 people.

Another interested party is Israel’s CBC Group, which bought a stake in Israel Beer Breweries from Carlsberg in 2008. The price is unclear, as some sources say that Carlsberg had already received its first offer, while others say that it was in dialogue with both contenders. The daily was unable to receive any comment from the companies.

Carlsberg risks losing very large money while selling the Russian unit. The latest data valued its Russian business at almost 20 billion kroner, or U.S. $2.9 billion, Berlingske reported.

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