Gubernija brewery, owned by one of the biggest alcoholic beverage manufacturers in the Baltics, MV GROUP Production, had increased its export volume by more than 100 percent in 2020. The company has significantly strengthened its business position in the USA and Russia and made a comeback to the market of Japan. Since 2018, when MV Group Production acquired Gubernija brewery, its export volume grew 2,5 times. Brewery exports approximately 4 of 10 liters of beverages they make.

According to Aurimas Abromavičius, head of sales and business development department at MV GROUP, the key to the company’s successful expansion in foreign markets was the ability to be flexible and understanding the different needs of wholesalers and expectations of retail customers.

“Beverages made in the Baltics and Lithuania become more visible and wanted in the world. However, I would not be quick to say that it’s the main factor for our company’s growing success in the international market. Understanding the needs of our business partners and demands of customers from different countries, and being able to adapt our production according to them – all that has a huge impact on our growth. The fact that our beverages find their place in the biggest and most picky stores speaks about the top quality of our production”, – says A. Abromavičius.

Last year Gubernija significantly strengthened its position in the US market: Lithuanian kvass made by this brewery was started to be sold in Publix supermarkets in Florida. Gubernija has made a significant expansion to Eastern markets as well due to deals with importers and wholesalers made by MV GROUP.

“Gubernija’s beer, as well as other beer made by the Baltic brewers, ranks highly in these markets, therefore the partnerships with market-leading partners let us greatly expand the number of our selling points”, – told A. Abromavičius.

While looking for business opportunities in Asia, Gubernija made a comeback to the market of Japan after a few years. The brewery provides relatively small amounts of products to test this market at the moment. Gubernija sees great expansion opportunities here in the future.

“Japanese are curious consumers who are interested in European products. Also, they look for exotic, unique beverages made by small breweries. Naturally, Japan’s market is pretty specific and needs to be examined and evaluated accordingly, however – we hope to earn the recognition of customers there”, – says the head of sales and business development department at MV GROUP.

In total, Gubernija exports its production to 15 foreign markets in 3 continents. Germany, Ireland, Italy, Great Britain are some of the biggest markets among them. Since 2018, when Gubernija became a part of MV GROUP Production, the brewery started to export their production to Finland, Russia, Mexico, Burundi, and Vietnam. Beer takes 70% of exported production while the other share is kvass.