This week CJCS Sarmat has started local production of Zolotatya Bochka – one of the leading Russian brands in premium segment at its brewery in Donetsk.

The premium segment is one of the fast growing in the Ukrainian beer market and has a share of 8,9% in volume terms (according to ACNielsen data Q1 2009).In recent months Zolotaya Bochka volume growth has demonstrated that it is popular with Ukrainian consumers.

«Local production will make Zolotaya Bochka more accessible at affordable price for Ukrainian consumers, - says Igor Tikhonov, General Director CJSC Sarmat. We hope that consumers will enjoy excellent classic beer taste and that brand will win its position in the premium segment of the Ukrainian beer market».

Zolotaya Bochka has been imported to Ukraine from Russia for five years and was positioned in the imported beer segment. Recently Sarmat started the exporting and importing of SABMiller international brands in Ukraine, and with that, the consumer price was reduced and will be maintained at the same level following the launch of local production.

The launch of local production for Zolotaya Bochka has become possible as a result of new production capabilities. In May this year, a brewery capital upgrade programme was completed. Investments in this programme were approximately USD 12 million. The programme led to the introduction of new unique water treatment equipment, a new product stabilization system and improvement and modernization of packaging line. The first international brand to roll off the line in the new production facility was Velkopopovicky Kozel, which was launched by the Sarmat brewery in April.

Zolotaya Bochka will be brewed to the same traditional recipe and high standards that have made it very popular in Russia; the packaging will remain true to Russian original while being updated for the Ukrainian market.

Two variants of Zolotaya Bochka Svetloe and Zolotaya Bochka Klassicheskoe will be brewed in Donetsk. They will be available in two types of packaging: bottles and cans 0.5 l, and will be on retail shelves within the next two weeks.

The launch of Zolotaya Bochka will be supported in trade channels and will be aimed at attracting consumer attention to the new product.