Estrella Galicia wants to expand distribution and portfolio in Brazil

Estrella Galicia, Spanish family company, strengthened the distribution of beer and water in Brazil, and studies bring to the Country in the coming years of cider and wine brands. "We are very excited with the acceptance of our brand in Brazil. The country has a great potential for development in the craft beer market, "said Ignacio Rivera, President of Estrella Galicia.
The company began operating in the country in 2008, with distribution of beer, made exclusively by Grupo Pão de Açúcar (GPA). With the advance sales, the company has decided to install an Office in the country, in 2012, and negotiate distribution agreements directly with other networks. The list includes Carrefour, Walmart, probe, Mambo, Americanas.com, among others. In the same year, began importing water from Magma and Cabreiroá Cabreiroá lines.
To meet the specific demand from Brazil, Estrella Galicia began offering, in 2014, versions of its beer in 600 ml bottles and in 259 ml Tin. The two lines are manufactured by Casa di Conti, owner of Vermouth Contini, headquartered in Cândido Mota (SP). The other lines are imported.
Rivera said the company strives to close more partnerships with retailers and broaden the distribution. "There are in the country around 400 manufacturers of special beers. Our strategy is to maintain our philosophy of authenticity and attract consumers with different flavors, "said Rivera.
The beers of Estrella Galicia arrive at retail at prices from $ 6 to 600 ml bottle, competing with brands such as Heineken (Heineken) and Stella Artois (Ambev). The Executive said that the prices were not reduced to enlarge its market share in the country.
Without citing numbers, Rivera said the Estrella Galicia presents "spectacular growth in sales in Brazil", but added that the volume is small. The company ended last year with total revenue of € 330,000,000 (R$ 1.2 billion) and sales of 200,000,000 liters of drinks. The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) was € 99,000,000. For this year, the forecast is to reach revenue of € 400,000,000, an increase of 21.2% of 2015.
Rivera intends, in the short term, focus on the brazilian operation sales of specialty beers and premium water. "From 2018, should enter with cider and wine," he said. The portfolio in Brazil includes the brands of beer Estrella Galicia, Estrella Galicia 0.0% (without alcohol) and the 1906 family, in addition to the two water lines. In the international market, also operates under the brands of wine, Sangria, Lerele Lerele Nerus White, Rosé, Nerus and Maeloc ciders and cider Manzanova.
In South America, the company operates in Uruguay since 2002, in Argentina since 2009, in Ecuador since 2013 and in Chile from 2015.
Estrella Galicia was founded in 1906 by Jose Maria Rivera Corral, great-grandfather of Rivera, in La Coruña, in Spain. The company has branches in Brazil, China, Japan, the Philippines, in the United States and in Portugal.