They may be famous for their vodka, but the Russians also boast the world's fourth largest beer market in terms of volume consumed. Baltika Breweries from St Petersburg has made it their mission to share their lagers with the Chinese.

Baltika, which takes up more than 37 percent of the Russian beer market, formally launched in China in September. The beer has actually been around for some time, with the first shipment arriving in China in October 2004. But this year, Tianjin Chenxu International Trade Co Ltd began acting as the brand's China representative to promote its sales in the country.

Initially the beer was sold in the provinces of Jilin, Heilongjiang and Shangdong. Up to now, Baltika has been the only Russian company exporting beer to China.

A leader in the Russian brewing sector, Baltika Breweries was founded in 1990. The company has a production capacity of 40 million hectolitres of beer per year, and claims to be number two in Europe in terms of sales volumes.

Baltika Breweries produces more than 30 beer and 10 non-beer brands. Eight varieties of its beer are sold in China, ranging from nonalcoholic to strong beer, classic lagers and special European varieties such as porter and unfiltered wheat beer.

The company said its Baltika No 4, brewed using rye malt according to an original recipe, has gained popularity with Chinese connoisseurs.

Tianjin Chenxu International Trade sales director Han Hua said Baltikia, as a European product, has certain technological advantage over Chinese beers. He said the company aimed to promote the beer to middle and high-end customers.

"Our aim is to change Baltika, from a remote and strange term to the Chinese, into one brand among mainstream beers in the Chinese market," said Han.

He believes that the year 2007-2008 will be crucial for the beer's development, but is also confident that the quality of the beer will help earn it the footing it deserves.

(China Daily 09/27/2007 page9)