AB InBev&rsquo s Corona and Budweiser rank first and second in Most Valuable Global Brands report Singapore beer market hit US$9.3 billion in 2024

 

[SINGAPORE] Corona and Budweiser beers will be exclusively distributed by   GS Holdings&rsquo   : 43A +15.79%wholly owned subsidiary Octopus Distribution Networks (ODN) in Singapore, except in the duty free market.

 

GS Holdings on Monday (Sep 8) said that ODN had signed a deal to buy LHA Food & Beverages&rsquo distribution business for about S$3 million cash. ODN will also acquire the rights to distribute 11 Degree Premium Yanjing Beer in Singapore and the trademarks of Rö ssl Bier and Como Bere.

 

The S$3 million figure comprises a book value of S$1.47 million of inventories and S$1.55 million for the rest of the distribution business. LHA will also transfer existing customers, relevant contracts, licences and permits to ODN.

 

The proposed transaction follows the acquisition of ODN by GS Holdings for S$11.8 million in May.

 

GS executive director and acting chief executive officer Loo Hee Guan, said: &ldquo We will continue to explore and evaluate other value accretive business opportunities with an eye towards consolidating our distribution footprint in the Singapore market as well as regional expansion opportunities.&rdquo  

 

AB InBev&rsquo s Corona and Budweiser brands were the first and second ranked beer brands in Kantar&rsquo s BrandZ 2025 Most Valuable Global Brands report.

 

The Singapore beer market is set to grow from US$9.3 billion in 2024 to US$11.5 billion at a compound annual growth rate of about 3.6 per cent through 2030, a TechSci Research report indicated.

 

Additionally, a Singapore Beer Industry Association 2024 white paper said the beer industry generates an annual direct economic impact of more than S$1.5 billion. It estimated that 140 million litres of beer is set to be sold by the end of 2025, up from 134 million in 2022.

 

The larger Asian beer market is forecast to be about US$241 billion in 2025, said research firm Mordor Intelligence, and is set to grow to US$311 billion by 2030. Increasing disposable incomes, the recovery of the tourism industry, and the wider availability of premium, craft, and low-alcohol beer options are set to drive that growth.

 

Still, broader challenges in the food and beverage (F& B) sector in Singapore remain. The number of F& B business closures in 2024 hit a 20-year high. There were 913 closures as at May 2025, compared with 1,348 as at May 2024. Holland Village&rsquo s Wala Wala Cafe also nearly closed this year, but reversed its plans.

 

Gen Z consumers in the Republic are also turning to sober clubbing, sipping on coffee instead of alcohol. That is part of a larger reduction in alcohol consumption here, which follows a global trend identified by the World Health Organization in 2024. 

GS Holdings&rsquo wholly-owned subsidiary Octopus Distribution Networks (ODN) acquired the rights to five beer brands and their customers for about $3 million.

 

GS Holdings acquired ODN for $11.8 million last October, as part of the group&rsquo s efforts to expand its business beyond F& B operations, to distributions.

 

ODN entered an agreement with LHA Food & Beverages on Sept 8, for the acquisition of LHA&rsquo s distribution business. Under this, ODN has exclusive distribution rights for Corona and Budweiser beers in Singapore, excluding the duty free market.

 

ODN will also be acquiring the rights to distribute 11 Degree Premium Yanjing Beer in Singapore, as well as the trademarks of RÖ SSL BIER and COMO BERE beers.

 

As part of the transaction, ODN will acquire the existing customers, relevant databases and contracts, all licenses and permits, all inventories, relevant property, plant and equipment, all relevant intellectual properties and agreed employees of LHA&rsquo s distribution business.

 

This is for cash consideration comprising the value of inventories as at completion date and $1.55 million for the rest of the distribution business.

 

Based on the value of $1.47 million for the book value of inventories as at June 30, and the amount of $1.55 million, the aggregate consideration is estimated to be approximately S$3.02 million.