Vietnam: Habeco records positive result for 2017 and a positive outlook for 2018

Ha Noi Beer Alcohol and Beverage (Habeco), largest brewery in north Vietnam with a production of more than 8 million hl per year has achieved a turnover of VNĐ 7.8 trillion (US$ 311.2 million) in 2017 according to a statement by Habeco’s Director General Ngô Quế Lâm at a conference in Hanoi on January 10. The state owned brewer recorded a pre-tax profit of VNĐ 927.6 (US$ 40.8 million) and contributed VNĐ 4.8 billion (US$ 192.5 million) to the state budget.

After the privatization of Vietnam’s beer market leader Sabeco in December, where ThaiBev could secure 54% of the shares of Vietnam’s leading brewer (inside.beer, 18.12.2017), Habeco is the next in the row. Best chances are said to have Carlsberg, which already owns a 17.51% stake in the company and casts an eye on at least 51% of the shares of Habeco (inside.beer, 8.9.2017).

The Danish brewer bought 16% of Habeco in an IPO in 2009 and acquired since then another 1.51% on the stock market. Under the co-operative agreement from 2009, Carlsberg would be allowed to top of the list of potential investors in case of additional sales of Habeco shares.

On January 19, Habeco starts trading 231.8 million shares worth about VNĐ 2.32 trillion (US$ 92.6 million) on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HOSE).

For 2018 the brewer has ambitious plans: Ngô Quế Lâm Habeco aims to achieve a 6.7% higher turnover of VNĐ  8.3 trillion(US$ 332 million) and a pre-tax profit of VNĐ 955.4 billion (US$ 42 million), 0.3% up from 2017.

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