Russian-based Baltika Breweries started exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The first batches of beer will soon be selling in various retailers in Kinshasa.

Baltika Breweries has announced that it has officially started exports of its beers to the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C.). The Russian company, which is part of the Carlsberg Group and market leader in its home country, has shipped a first batch of 10,000 litres of beer from its hub in St. Petersburg to Kinshasa. According to Baltika representatives, the Russian beer will soon be available in major retailers in the country, including Shoprite, Extra Plus and Kin Mart but also at small stores, gas stations and through wholesalers.

It is still not known if the company intends, as is practice with breweries, to make a long-term investment in indigenous production through a manufacturing facility in D.R.C. or if it will maintain shipping the product from Russia. Notwithstanding, Baltika is just the latest in a string of corporations and private funds keeping D.R.C.’s retail sector under their sight. Just last week Trendtype reported on a new investment made by XSML on local retailer Moni-shop that had been followed by another in the general merchandise retail chain Maison Galaxy.

Baltika’s move to Kinshasa is part of a wider expansion strategy in Africa. Although just now in D.R.C. Baltika are present in other countries in the continent and have been operating in neighboring Congo since 2007 – when it also entered the market in Côte d’Ivoire. In fact, a company representative stated that “Baltika brands are known and loved in 75 countries for their top quality and excellent taste. We plan to move beyond and to expand our reach annually, introducing people around the world to our best varieties.” In Africa, besides D.R.C., Baltika will also add Burkina Faso to its portfolio.