Dive Brief:
- SABMiller, the world's second-largest brewer, has signed a deal to sell several of its brands through Grupo Petropolis, Brazil's largest brewer.
- The agreement sets up head-to-head battle with AB InBev's Brazilian unit, dubbed AmBev, which has a full 63% share of the market in that nation.
- SABMiller also announced it would end the deal that has its MillerCoors unit oversee distribution in Canada and instead take on that business itself.
Dive Insight:
SABMiller seems intent upon a) entering new markets as rapidly as is possible, and b) convincing the world's investment community that it has no interest in being acquired by larger AB InBev. A return to Brazil would seem to accomplish both goals.