Rwanda: Heineken Sells Beer Below $1
In a move designed to reduce retail prices and boost sales in Rwanda, East Africa and across the African continent, Heineken is starting local production sites. In Rwanda, the country’s biggest beer producer Bralirwa is set to commence Heineken production. Rwanda joins Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Ethiopia as local producers of Heineken in Africa.
Heineken International, the world’s second largest beer producer, is the parent company for Bralirwa. Rwanda is the latest country in Africa, following Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Ethiopia where the beer giant has localized beer production to reduce costs and prices.
Bralirwa, which produces local beers like Primus, has been importing Heineken made in the Netherlands.
Local production is expected to reduce retail prices by a fifth, according to the beer giant. The price per bottle of Heineken is expected to drop to 800 francs ($0.9231) from 1,000 francs, as soon as local production commences, reports CGTN Africa.
Plans are that the cheap beer will be exported to neighbouring countries Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Pervasive alcohol harm, lack of alcohol control
In the DRC, Heineken has been exposed to have engaged in systematic Human Rights breaches. The book “Heineken in Africa” by investigative journalist Oliver van Beemen details Heineken’s strategies.
Neither Burundi, nor Rwanda have put in place comprehensive national alcohol control legislation or a national alcohol policy. There are no regulations of alcohol advertising in the countries, according to the 2018 WHO Global Alcohol Status Report.
While 65% of the Rwandese adult population does not consume any alcohol, those who do have an extremely high rate of alcohol intake. Per capita alcohol consumption among alcohol users is at 25.6 liters and the prevalence of heavy episodic alcohol intake is 7%, almost double the regional average.
Rwanda belongs to the countries ranked highest in the world for years of lives lost due to alcohol, according to the WHO country profile.
©WHO Global Alcohol Status Report 2018
Clearly, the push of Heineken into Rwanda and other African countries with cheap beer comes at a time where alcohol harm is already a heavy burden and major obstacle to sustainable development. With a weak regulatory environment and a growing middle class that has disposable income the 65% alcohol abstention rate means – in the eyes of the beer giant – potential for growth. In the eyes of the local communities it means increasing alcohol-related disease, devastation and death – as the WHO Global Alcohol Status Report details.
