The Independent Liquor of New Zealand has been bought by Japan’s Asahi Group Holdings for $AU1.22 billion.
The purchase is part of the Japanese company’s expansion in Asia and Oceania, according to a report.
Japanese companies are seizing the opportunity to invest overseas, as the Yen continues to rise and domestic sales plummet as a result of the country’s shrinkage and ageing population.
Asahi is best known for its “Super Dry” beer and according to a local newspaper, will announce the New Zealand deal, its biggest acquisition, shortly.
In 2009, Asahi also acquired Schweppes and in July this year, entered into a binding share purchase agreement to buy 100 per cent of shares of mineral water and juice maker P&N Beverages Australia.