Heineken N.V. revealed on Friday its plan to invest TWD 13.5 billion (USD 414 million) in Taiwan over the next five years. The company took over majority ownership and management control of the Long Chuan Zuan Co. brewery in Neipu Township, Pingtung, in 2022 (inside.beer, 27.6.2022) and commenced production in the first quarter of this year.
At an event held at its Pingtung brewery in southern Taiwan, Heineken also detailed its efforts to achieve net zero emissions at the facility by 2030. Taiwan’s Vice President Lai Ching-te, in attendance, stressed Taiwan's importance as Heineken's second-largest export market globally. He emphasized that the investment holds significant importance for Taiwan and its agricultural sector.
Wu Chien-fu, the head of Heineken's Taiwan branch, expressed that the decision to transition from sales to manufacturing in Taiwan was driven by the strong support from Taiwanese consumers over the past 20 years.
Until 2002, Taiwan's beer industry was tightly regulated. Taiwan joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2002, leading to changes. The main domestic brand, Taiwan Beer, is brewed by the state-owned Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation (TTL), which succeeded the government's monopoly bureau in 2002. Despite competition, Taiwan Beer remains the largest beer brand in Taiwan, followed by Long Chuan.
