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4 clusters · 12 sources · 56 days · First seen · Last updated

Varun Beverages expansion and alcohol market entry

Overview

In late July 2026, Varun Beverages Ltd, India’s largest PepsiCo bottler, announced a 15% rise in quarterly net profit and a 20% jump in revenue, driven by strong volume growth both domestically (14% increase) and internationally, notably after acquiring South Africa’s Twizza. The company also highlighted a shift toward premium, experience‑focused beverages in the Indian market. A few days later, the firm reported continued momentum, citing a partnership with Japan’s Asahi Group to launch the CALPIS fermented‑dairy brand and double‑digit growth in its Nimbooz and value‑added dairy lines. Expansion continued across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia, while raw‑material price pressures were mitigated through early sourcing and a higher share of low‑sugar products. In the same period, Zimbabwe’s Delta Corporation posted a 23% revenue increase, driven by rising lager and sorghum‑beer volumes and capacity expansions at its breweries. By late August 2026, Varun Beverages signaled a major strategic pivot by entering the Indian alcoholic beverages market. The company’s board approved the incorporation of KIVA Spirits and Company Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to ready-to-drink (RTD) and alcoholic beverages. To lead this venture, the firm appointed industry veteran Prathmesh Mishra, formerly of Diageo and Pernod Ricard India, as Managing Director and CEO. This move aims to leverage Varun’s existing distribution network to tap into high-margin spirits and reduce reliance on its core carbonated soft drink business. In September 2026, the company clarified that this diversification was facilitated by a revised contract with PepsiCo that removed previous restrictions on non-PepsiCo business activities. Kiva Spirits, which intends to produce beer, wine, spirits, and RTD products, is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire Alcobrew Distilleries India Ltd, pending regulatory approval.

Entities

Varun Beverages · KIVA Spirits and Company Ltd · PepsiCo · Varun Beverages Ltd · Asahi Group Holdings

Timeline

  1. 9 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Varun Beverages expands into alcohol and international markets

    Varun Beverages is expanding into the alcohol market via Kiva Spirits and pursuing a stake in Zimbabwe's Dairibord Holdings, while attracting significant investment from Indian mid-cap funds.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Varun Beverages enters India’s alcohol market via new subsidiary

    Varun Beverages is entering India’s alcoholic beverage market through its new subsidiary, KIVA Spirits, appointing former Diageo executive Prathmesh Mishra as CEO to lead the diversification.

  3. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Delta Corp and Varun Beverages post strong revenue and volume growth in emerging markets

    Delta Corp posted 23% revenue growth and higher beverage volumes in Zimbabwe, while Varun Beverages expanded in India and Africa, launching CALPIS with Asahi and reporting strong portfolio growth.

  4. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Varun Beverages reports 15% profit rise as India's beverage market expands

    Varun Beverages posted a 15% profit jump to Rs 1,525.35 crore in Q2 2026, driven by strong volume growth and its Twizza acquisition, while India's premium drink market pivots toward flavor innovation and niche,

Sources

ad-hoc-news.de · businesstoday.in · culturalpolicy.com · equitypandit.com · latestly.com · leconomistemaghrebin.com · manhattan.edu · News18.com · news18.com · thecore.in · voeazul.com.br · world-today-news.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history