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A. History and Development of the Company
Our current legal and commercial name is Compañía
Cervecerías Unidas S.A. We are a public corporation (sociedad anónima abierta) organized by means of a public deed
dated January 8, 1902, following the merger of two existing breweries, one of which traces its origins back to 1850, when Mr. Joaquín
Plagemann founded one of the first breweries in Chile (in Valparaíso). By 1916, we owned and operated the largest brewing facilities
in Chile. Our operations have also included the production and commercialization of soft drinks since the beginning of the last century,
the bottling and selling of mineral water products since 1960, the production and commercialization of wine since 1994, the production
and commercialization of beer in Argentina since 1995, the production and commercialization of pisco since 2003 and the production and
commercialization of rum since 2007. Also, we had been involved in the production and commercialization of sweet snacks products from
2004 until December 2018.
We are subject to a full range of governmental
regulation and supervision generally applicable to companies engaged in business in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay and
Uruguay. These regulations include labor laws, social security laws, public health, consumer protection and environmental laws, securities
laws, and antitrust laws. In addition, regulations exist to ensure health and safety conditions in facilities for the production and distribution
of beverages and snack products.
Our principal executive offices are located at
Avenida Vitacura No. 2670, 23rd floor, Santiago, Chile. Our telephone number in Santiago is (56-2) 2427-3000, and our website
is www.ccu.cl. Our authorized representative in the United States is Puglisi & Associates, located at 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204,
Newark, Delaware 19711, USA, telephone number (302) 738-6680 and fax number (302) 738-7210. The information on our website is not incorporated
by reference into this document. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov/ that contains reports, proxy statements and other
information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. Form 20-F reports and the other information submitted by us to
the SEC may be accessed through this website.
In 1986, IRSA, our current controlling shareholder,
acquired its controlling interest in us through purchases of common stock at an auction conducted by a receiver who had assumed control
of us following the economic crisis in Chile in the early 80’s, which resulted in our inability to meet our obligations to our creditors.
IRSA, at that time, was a joint venture between Quiñenco S.A. (“Quiñenco”) and the Schörghuber Group from
Germany, through its wholly owned subsidiary Finance Holding International B.V. (“FHI”) of the Netherlands.
In September 1992, we issued 4,520,582 American
Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each representing five shares of our common stock, in an international American Depositary Receipt
(“ADR”) offering. The underlying ADSs were listed and traded on the NASDAQ, until March 25, 1999. Since that date, the ADSs
have been listed and traded on the NYSE. On December 20, 2012, the ratio of ADSs to shares of common stock was changed from 1 to 5, to
a new ratio of 1 to 2.
Prior to November 1994, we independently produced,
bottled and distributed carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks in Chile. In November 1994, we merged our soft drink and mineral water
businesses with the one owned by Buenos Aires Embotelladora S.A. (“BAESA”) in Chile (PepsiCo’s bottler in Chile at
that time) creating Embotelladoras Chilenas Unidas S.A. (“ECUSA”) for the production, bottling, distribution and commercialization
of soft drink and mineral water products in Chile. Through ECUSA, we began producing PepsiCo brands under license. We have had control
of ECUSA since January 1998, when the shareholders agreement was amended. On November 29, 1999, we purchased 45% of ECUSA’s shares
owned by BAESA for approximately CLP 54,118 million. We currently own 99.98% of ECUSA’s shares. In January 2001, ECUSA and Schweppes
Holdings Ltd. signed an agreement to continue bottling Crush and Canada Dry brands. (See ITEM 4: B. Business Overview – Production
and Marketing – Chile Operating segment).
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In 1994, we purchased 48.4% of the equity of
the Chilean wine producer Viña San Pedro S.A. (“VSP”) for approximately CLP 17,470 million. During the first half of
1995, VSP’s capital was increased by approximately CLP 14,599 million, of which we contributed approximately CLP 7,953 million.
From August through October 1997, VSP’s capital was increased again by approximately CLP 11,872 million, of which we contributed
approximately CLP 6,617 million, plus approximately CLP 191 million in additional shares bought during October 1997 in the local stock
market. Furthermore, in October 1998 and during 1999, we purchased additional shares in VSP through the local stock exchanges for an amount
of approximately CLP 5,526 million. From March through June 1999, VSP’s capital was increased by approximately CLP 17,464 million,
of which we contributed approximately CLP 10,797 million.
In December 1995, we entered into a joint venture
agreement pursuant to which Anheuser-Busch acquired a 4.4% interest in CCU Argentina. The agreement involved two different contracts:
an investment and a licensing contract. Through CCU Argentina, we began our expansion into Argentina by acquiring an interest in two Argentine
breweries: 62.7% of the outstanding shares of Compañía Industrial Cervecera S.A. (“CICSA”), were acquired during
January and February 1995 and 98.8% of the outstanding shares of Cervecería Santa Fe S.A. (“CSF”), were acquired in
September 1995. In 1997, CCU Argentina increased its interest in CICSA to 97.2% and in CSF to 99.9% through the purchase of non-controlling
interests. In January 1998, we decided to merge these two breweries into one company operating under the name of CICSA. Following the
merger, CCU Argentina’s interest in CICSA was 99.2%. In April 1998, CCU Argentina completed the purchase of the brands and assets
of Cervecería Córdoba S.A. As of mid-1998, after the resolution of certain labor issues, we began the production of the
Córdoba brand at our Santa Fe plant.
After a capital increase approved by our shareholders
in October 1996, we raised approximately USD 196 million between December 1996 and April 1999. Part of this capital expansion was accomplished
between December 1996 and January 1997 through our second ADR offering in the international markets.
In November 2000, we became joint owners (50%
each) with Malterías Unidas S.A. (currently Maltexco S.A.) of Cervecería Austral S.A. (“Cervecería Austral”),
a Chilean company located in the city of Punta Arenas that produces, sells and distributes Austral beer in Chile. Additionally, Cervecera
CCU Chile Limitada (“Cervecería CCU”) has a two-year renewable license agreement, subject to compliance with the conditions
established in the agreement, for the production of Austral Lager beer, returnable liter containers and kegs in Chile and a distribution
agreement for the sale and marketing of all Austral products in Chile, with the exception of the Magallanes Region, where selling and
distribution is carried out by Comercial Patagona Ltda., a subsidiary of Cervecería Austral.
During 2000, VSP, through its subsidiary Finca
La Celia S.A. (“FLC”), acquired the winery Finca La Celia in Mendoza, Argentina, initiating its international expansion, allowing
VSP to include fine quality Argentine wines into its export product portfolio. In December 2001, Viña Santa Helena S.A. (“VSH”)
created its own commercial and productive winemaking operation, distinct from its parent, VSP, under the Viña Santa Helena label
in the Colchagua Valley. Between November 2000 and March 2001, VSP’s capital was increased by approximately CLP 22,279 million,
of which we contributed approximately CLP 13,402 million.
In May 2002, we acquired a 50% stake in Compañía
Cervecera Kunstmann S.A., currently Cervecería Kunstmann S.A. (“CK”), a brewery located in the southern city of Valdivia,
in Chile. In June 2003, our beer division began selling Kunstmann nationwide. In November 2006, we acquired additional shares of CK that
allowed us to consolidate this subsidiary into our consolidated financial statements as of that month.
In February 2003, we began the sale of a new
product for our beverage portfolio, pisco, under the brand Ruta Norte. Pisco is a grape spirit very popular in Chile that is produced
in the northern part of the country. Our pisco, at that time, was only produced in the Elqui Valley in the Coquimbo Region and was sold
throughout the country by our beer division sales force. In March 2005, we entered into an association with the second largest pisco
producer at that time, Cooperativa Agrícola Control Pisquero de Elqui y Limarí Ltda. (“Control”). This new
joint venture was named Compañía Pisquera de Chile S.A. (“CPCh”), to which the companies contributed principally
with assets, commercial brands and – in the case of Control – also some financial liabilities. Currently we own 80% of CPCh
and Control owns the remaining 20%.
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On April 17, 2003, the Schörghuber Group,
at the time an indirect owner of 30.8% of our ownership interest, gave Quiñenco, also at the time an indirect owner of 30.8% of
our ownership interest, formal notice of its intent to sell 100% of its interest in FHI to Heineken Americas B.V., a subsidiary of Heineken
International B.V. As a result of the sale, Quiñenco and Heineken Americas B.V., the latter through FHI, became the only two shareholders
of IRSA, the owner of 61.6% of our equity at that time, each with a 50% interest in IRSA. Heineken International B.V. and FHI subsequently
formed Heineken Chile Ltda., to hold the latter’s 50% interest in IRSA. Therefore, Quiñenco and Heineken Chile Ltda. were
the only two shareholders of IRSA, with 50% equity each at that time. On December 30, 2003, FHI merged into Heineken Americas B.V., which
together with Heineken International B.V. remained as the only shareholders of Heineken Chile Ltda. In 2022, Heineken Chile Ltda. became
Heineken Chile SpA, a Chilean corporation (sociedad por acciones) whose current controller
is Heineken International B.V., a Dutch limited liability company, subsidiary of Heineken N.V. The majority shareholder of Heineken N.V.
is the Dutch company Heineken Holding N.V., a Dutch subsidiary of L'Arche Green N.V., which is a subsidiary of L'Arche Holdings B.V.,
the latter ultimately controlled by Mrs. C.L. de Carvalho-Heineken. Currently, Quiñenco and Heineken Chile SpA, are the only shareholders
of IRSA, each with a 50% equity interest. As of March 31, 2024, and as of the date of this annual report, IRSA directly and indirectly
owned 65.87% of our shares of common stock.
In August 2003, VSP formed Viña Tabalí
S.A., a joint venture in equal parts with Sociedad Agrícola y Ganadera Río Negro Ltda., for the production of premium wines.
This winery is in the Limarí Valley, Chile’s northernmost winemaking region, which is noted for the production of outstanding
wines.
In January 2004, we entered the sweet snacks
business by means of a joint venture between CCU Inversiones S.A. and Industria Nacional de Alimentos S.A., a subsidiary of Quiñenco,
with a 50% interest each in Calaf S.A., which was renamed Foods Compañía de Alimentos CCU S.A. (“Foods”), a
corporation that acquired the trademarks, assets and know-how, among other things, of Calaf S.A.I.C. and Francisca Calaf S.A., traditional
Chilean candy makers, renowned for more than a century. In 2007 we acquired the brand Natur, adding a new line of products to our ready-to-eat
portfolio. In August 2008, Foods bought 50% of Alimentos Nutrabien S.A. (“Nutrabien”), a company that specializes in brownies
and other high-quality baked goods under the brand Nutrabien.
In October 2004, VSP acquired the well-known
Manquehuito Pop Wine brand, a sparkling fruit-flavored wine with low alcohol content, broadening its range of products. At VSP’s
extraordinary shareholders meeting held on July 7, 2005, the shareholders approved a capital increase that was to be partially used for
stock option programs. During October and November 2005, VSP’s capital was increased by approximately CLP 346 million. We did not
participate in this capital increase.
In December 2006, we signed a joint venture agreement
with Watt’s S.A. (“Watt’s”), a local food related company, under which, as of January 30, 2007, we participate
in equal parts in Promarca S.A. (“Promarca”). This new company owns, among others, the brands “Watt’s”,
“Watt’s Ice Frut”, “Yogu” and “Shake a Shake” in Chile. Promarca granted both of its shareholders
(New Ecusa S.A., a former subsidiary of ECUSA, which in 2019merged into ECUSA, and Watt’s Dos S.A., a subsidiary of Watt’s
S.A.), for an indefinite period, the exclusive licenses for the production and sale of the different product categories.
In January 2007, Viña Tabalí S.A.
bought the assets of Viña Leyda, located in the Leyda Valley, a new winemaking region south of Casablanca Valley and close to the
Pacific Ocean. Viña Leyda produces excellent wines that have won awards in different international contests. After this acquisition,
Viña Tabalí S.A. changed its name to Viña Valles de Chile S.A. In September 2007, VSP bought a 50% interest in Viña
Altaïr S.A. which belonged to Château Dassault, in line with our strategy of focusing on premium wines. Consequently, VSP owns
100% of said company. Between April and June 2007, VSP’s capital was increased by approximately CLP 13,692 million, of which we
contributed approximately CLP 5,311 million.
In May 2007, CPCh entered the rum market with
our proprietary brand Sierra Morena and later, in 2008, added new rum brand extensions and introduced various pisco based cocktails.
In June 2010 CPCh purchased Fehrenberg, a small, but well-recognized spirits brand produced in Chile. In July 2011 CPCh began the distribution
of Pernod Ricard products (Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Havana Club, Absolut, among others). Furthermore, in 2011, CPCh signed a
license agreement for the commercialization and distribution in Chile of the pisco brand Bauzá. In addition, in 2011 CPCh acquired
49% of the licensor company Compañía Pisquera Bauzá S.A. (“Bauzá”), the owner of the brand in
Chile, and CPCh sold such interest to Agroproductos Bauzá S.A. in January 2016.
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In December 2007, we entered into an agreement
with Nestlé Chile S.A. and Nestlé Waters Chile S.A., the latter of which acquired a 20% interest in our subsidiary Aguas
CCU-Nestlé Chile S.A. (“Aguas CCU”), the company through which we develop our bottled water business in Chile. As part
of this new association, Aguas CCU introduced in 2008 the Nestlé Pure Life brand in Chile. On June 4, 2009 ECUSA received a notice
from Nestlé Waters Chile S.A. whereby it exercised its irrevocable option to buy 29.9% of Aguas CCU’s equity, pursuant to
the terms and conditions of the association agreement. The completion of the deal represented a profit before taxes for ECUSA of CLP 24,439
million. On September 30, 2009 in the extraordinary shareholders’ meetings, Aguas CCU and Nestlé Waters Chile S.A. approved
the merger of both companies, the latter being the surviving company under the name Aguas CCU-Nestlé Chile S.A. The current shareholders
of Aguas CCU are ECUSA (50.10%) and Nestlé Chile S.A. (49.90%).
In 2008, the licensing contract that grants CCU
Argentina the exclusive right to produce, package, commercialize and distribute Budweiser beer in Argentina, was extended until 2025.
After subsequent capital increases, the last one in June 2008, Anheuser-Busch reduced its interest in CCU Argentina to 4.04% and we increased
our participation to 95.96%. In April 2008, we bought the Argentine brewer Inversora Cervecera S.A. (“ICSA”) after receiving
the approval of the Argentine antitrust authorities. CICSA paid an aggregate amount of USD 88 million to acquire ICSA. ICSA owns, among
other assets, the Bieckert, Palermo and Imperial beer brands, which together represented approximately 5.8% of the Argentine beer market,
and a brewery in Luján, Buenos Aires, with a nominal production capacity of 270 million liters per year.
In November 2008, CCU and its affiliate VSP entered
into a Merger Agreement with Compañía Chilena de Fósforos S.A. and its subsidiaries Terciados y Elaboración
de Maderas S.A. and Viña Tarapacá S.A. (“VT”), in order to merge VT into VSP. Under the terms of the Merger
Agreement, and prior to its execution, CCU had to acquire 25% of VT’s equity. On December 3, 2008, the extraordinary shareholders’
meetings of VSP and VT approved the merger of both companies. Once all the legal requirements were fulfilled, the merger by absorption
of VT by VSP was completed on December 9, 2008, with an effective date for accounting purposes of October 1, 2008. The surviving company
was named Viña San Pedro Tarapacá S.A. (“VSPT”), which began consolidating its financial statements with ours
on October 1, 2008, with operations commencing on December 9, 2008. VSPT’s capital was increased because of the merger, by issuing
15,987,878,653 shares to be exchanged for the total number of shares issued by VT at a ratio of 1,480.30828 new VSPT shares per each share
of the absorbed company.
In March 2009, Compañía Cervecerías
Unidas S.A. placed corporate bonds in the Chilean Market, 21-year bonds in an amount of 2 million UF, with an annual interest rate of
4.3%.
In December 2010, our subsidiary Inversiones
Invex CCU Ltda., acquired a 4.04% equity stake in CCU Argentina from Anheuser-Busch Investment, S.L. After the acquisition, CCU, through
its subsidiary Inversiones Invex CCU Ltda., became the sole equity holder of CCU Argentina. This transaction had no effect on the Budweiser
brand production and distribution contract, which was set to expire in 2025 (prior to the 2017 offer letter signed between ABI and CCU
Argentina described below). The license for the distribution of the brand in Chile expired in 2015. Currently, CCU’s subsidiaries
Inversiones Invex CCU Ltda. and Inversiones Invex CCU Dos Ltda. own 80.649% and 19.351%, respectively, of CCU Argentina’s share
capital. CCU Argentina owns 78.497% of CICSA’s share capital, Inversiones Invex CCU Dos Ltda. owns the remaining 21.503%.
In December 2010, CICSA acquired equity interests
in Saénz Briones y Cía. S.A.I.C. and Sidra La Victoria S.A. Through this transaction, CICSA became the controlling shareholder
of these companies. These companies own the assets used in the production, packaging and marketing of cider and other spirits businesses
in Argentina, which are marketed through several brands, the most important cider and spirits brands are Real, La Victoria, Saénz
Briones, 1888 and in spirits, El Abuelo. In 2015, Sidra La Victoria S.A. merged with and into Saénz Briones y Cía S.A.I.C.
Further, on November 11, 2024, the merger of Saénz Briones y Cía S.A.I.C with and into CICSA was finally approved by local
authorities, with retroactive effect as of May 1, 2023.
In August 2011, the board of directors of VSPT
agreed to spin-off Viña Valles de Chile S.A. (“VDC”), a corporation owned, in equal parts, by VSPT and Sociedad Agrícola
y Ganadero Río Negro Limitada (“ARN”). VDC had two major vineyards: Viña Tabalí and Viña Leyda.
According to such agreement, VSPT would remain the sole owner of Viña Leyda (whose net assets would remain within VDC) and ARN
would remain the sole owner of Viña Tabalí (whose net assets would be assigned to the spun off company). This transaction
concluded on December 29, 2011, through a stock swap contract, whereby VDC became a subsidiary of VSPT, that is, directly and indirectly,
100% owned by VSPT.
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In September 2012, CCU acquired 100% of the shares
of the Uruguayan companies Milotur S.A. (“Milotur”), Marzurel S.A. (“Marzurel”) and Coralina S.A. (“Coralina”)
and, indirectly of Andrimar S.A. (“Andrimar”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Milotur. These companies own the assets of a business
developed in Uruguay that engages in the production and commercialization of mineral and flavored bottled water under the Nativa brand,
and carbonated soft drinks under the Nix brand. Milotur also commercializes Schneider and Heineken beer brands, the latter due to an amendment
to the trademark license agreement in force with Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. On November 12, 2024, CCU´s subsidiary CCU Inversiones
II SpA, the sole shareholder of Coralina, sold its entire ownership to Mr. Friedrich Pershak. As a result, Coralina is no longer a CCU
subsidiary.
In December 2012, Aguas CCU completed an acquisition
of 51.01% of the company Manantial S.A. (“Manantial”), a Home and Office Delivery (“HOD”) business of purified
water in bottles with the use of dispensers. The partnership enabled Aguas CCU to participate in a new business category. The shareholders
agreement of Manantial included a call option to purchase the remaining shares.
On June 18, 2013, the extraordinary shareholders’
meeting approved the issuance of 51,000,000 of common shares which were registered in the “Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros”
(“SVS”), currently “Comisión para el Mercado Financiero” (“CMF”), under No. 980 on July 23,
2013. On November 8, 2013 CCU successfully concluded this capital increase, the total number of shares issued pursuant to the capital
increase having been subscribed and paid, raising a total amount of CLP 331,718,929,410. This capital increase was made in order to continue
our expansion plan, which includes organic and inorganic growth in Chile and the surrounding region. Part of this capital increase was
offered in the international markets, representing our third ADR offering.
In December
2013, CCU acquired 50.005% of Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. (“Bebidas del Paraguay”), and 49.959% of Distribuidora del Paraguay
S.A. (“Distribuidora del Paraguay”), entering the Paraguayan market with the production, marketing and sale of non-alcoholic
beverages, such as soft drinks, juices and water, and the marketing and sale of beer, under various brands, both proprietary and under
licensees and imported.
Furthermore, in 2013, CCU, through its subsidiary
CCU Inversiones S.A., increased its stake in VSPT to 64.72% by acquiring additional outstanding shares of VSPT. VSPT is conformed by the
San Pedro, Tarapacá, Santa Helena, Viña Leyda, Misiones de Rengo, Viña Mar, Casa Rivas, Finca La Celia, and Bodega
Tamarí wineries. These are all important and renowned cellars in Chile and Argentina, each with its own distinctive brands. Since
the merger, VSPT has become the second-largest Chilean wine exporter and one of the leaders in the domestic market. In June 2013, the
merger of Viña Misiones de Rengo S.A. and Viña Urmeneta S.A. was completed, with Viña Valles de Chile S.A., as the
legal successor. In May 2014 Vitivinícola del Maipo S.A. merged into Viñas Orgánicas SPT S.A., the latter being the
legal successor. Additionally, in April 2015 Viña Santa Helena S.A. merged into Viña San Pedro Tarapacá S.A., pursuant
to the Chilean Corporations Act, due to the fact that Viña San Pedro Tarapacá S.A. became the sole shareholder of the company
for more than 10 days. On December 21, 2020, the board of directors of Finca La Celia S.A. and Bodega San Juan S.A.U. approved to carry
out a merger by absorption, pursuant to which Finca La Celia S.A. was the surviving entity, effective as of January 1, 2021.
In May 2014, CCU entered the Bolivian market
through a partnership with Grupo Monasterio, acquiring 34% of Bebidas Bolivianas BBO S.A. (“BBO”). BBO produces and commercializes
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Bolivia. CCU’s initial stake in BBO was 34%, which was obtained by a capital injection,
and which contemplated the right of CCU to acquire additional interests that would enable it to own 51% of the shares of BBO in a second
stage. This transaction also included contracts that allow BBO to operate CCU’s brands in Bolivia. The Company recorded this investment
under joint ventures and associated companies. In 2014, BBO acquired Cordillera beer brand from SABMiller.
As of June 6, 2014, CICSA reached agreements
with Cervecería Modelo S.A. de CV. and Anheuser-Busch LLC, for the termination of the contract which allowed CICSA to import and
distribute on an exclusive basis, Corona and Negra Modelo beers in Argentina, and the license for the production and distribution of Budweiser
beer in Uruguay. CICSA received compensation in respect of these agreements in the amount of ARS 277.2 million, equivalent to USD 34.2
million.
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In November 2014, CCU, directly and through its
subsidiary CCU Inversiones II Ltda. (currently CCU Inversiones II SpA), signed a series of contracts and agreements with the Colombian
entity Postobón S.A. and related companies (“Grupo Postobón”), by which we agreed to initiate a joint venture
for the manufacturing, commercialization and distribution of beer and malt based non-alcoholic beverages in Colombia. The joint venture
was established through a company named Central Cervecera de Colombia S.A.S. (“CCC”), in which CCU and Grupo Postobón
participate in equal parts. This transaction included the following contracts and agreements: an investment framework agreement, a shareholders
agreement, a long-term logistics and distribution contract and a sales contract governing services to be provided by Grupo Postobón
to CCC, a trademark license agreements granted to CCC by CCU and Grupo Postobón, a shared services agreement governing services
to be provided by Postobón to CCC, and an exclusive license granted by Heineken to CCC for the import, production and distribution
of Heineken products in Colombia. As of September 2015, CCC also has an exclusive contract to import, produce and distribute Coors Light
in Colombia. Additionally, as of April 1, 2016, CCC also has an exclusive license granted by Heineken to import, produce and distribute
Tecate in Colombia and Sol as of July 1, 2017.
In November 2015, ECUSA entered into a joint
operation agreement with Empresas Carozzi S.A. (“Carozzi”) for the production, commercialization, and distribution of instant
powder drinks under the brands Sprim, Fructus, Vivo and Caricia. This joint operation is carried out by Bebidas Carozzi CCU SpA (“Bebidas
Carozzi CCU”), of which ECUSA acquired 50% of the share capital. Carozzi is in charge of the production of the respective products,
and ECUSA of its distribution.
In 2015, we sold the brands Calaf and Natur to
Carozzi, leaving Foods only with its 50% stake in Nutrabien. During 2016, Foods acquired the remaining 50% stake of Nutrabien.
On January 29, 2016, Aguas CCU and ECUSA exercised
the call option, acquiring 48.07% and 0.92% of the shares of Manantial respectively. As a consequence, CCU is currently the indirect owner
of 100% of the shares of Manantial, remaining as the only direct shareholders of Manantial: (i) Aguas CCU with 99.08% of the capital stock
and (ii) ECUSA with 0.92% of the capital stock.
In February 2016, CCU and Watt’s, among
others, entered into an “International Association Agreement” in order to expand the brand
Watt’s to certain South American countries, through Promarca Internacional SpA, currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Promarca
S.A.
In March
2016, we, through our subsidiary Bebidas del Paraguay S.A., acquired 51% of Sajonia Brewing Company SRL (formerly Artisan SRL) which produces
and commercializes Sajonia craft beer in Paraguay.
In 2016,
CCC acquired the brand and assets related to the craft beer brand “3 Cordilleras” of Artesana Beer Company S.A. in
Colombia. CCC is reported under Joint Ventures and Associated Companies.
In 2017, we began producing and commercializing
Miller Genuine Draft (“MGD”) in Argentina.
As of April 2017, CCC also has a license agreement
to commercialize and distribute the Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft brands in Colombia.
In June 2017, CPCh incorporated to its portfolio
the Peruvian pisco brand BarSol, through the acquisition of 40% of Americas Distilling Investments LLC, which is based in the United States
and owns the BarSol brand and productive assets based in Peru.
On June 15, 2017, Foods and CCU Inversiones S.A.
signed a purchase agreement, for the sale of all the shares of its subsidiary Nutrabien, with Ideal S.A, a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo,
subject to the approval of the antitrust authorities in Chile. Having received said approval, the sale of 100% of the shares of Nutrabien
to Ideal S.A. was completed on December 17, 2018.
On August 16, 2017, CCU, through its subsidiary
CCU Inversiones ll Ltda. (currently CCU Inversiones II SpA), acquired 50% of Zona Franca Central Cervecera S.A.S. (“ZF CC”),
a company incorporated in Colombia in which CCU and Grupo Postobón are the sole shareholders in equal parts. The price of the transaction
amounted to USD 10.2 million, equivalent to CLP 6.4 billion. Until November 2019, the main purpose of ZF CC was to act exclusively as
an industrial user of one or more free-trade zones, providing toll manufacturing services to CCC, which was the company that produced,
marketed and distributed beer and malt beverages. Since November 2019, ZF CC has been producing and selling to CCC, which continues to
market and distribute our products.
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In December 2017, CCU, through its subsidiary
CCU Inversiones S.A., increased its stake in VSPT by acquiring additional outstanding shares of VSPT through a tender offer, which concluded
at the end of January 2018, and allowed us to increase our total stake from 67.22% to 83.01%.
On September 6, 2017, CCU and CCU Argentina signed
an offer letter with ABI (together with CCU Argentina, the “Parties”), under which the early termination of the “Budweiser”
license agreement in Argentina was agreed to in exchange for the transfer to CCU Argentina of a portfolio of beer brands and cash payments,
among other matters. This transaction was subject to the prior approval of the Comisión Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia (“CNDC”)
and the Secretario de Comercio del Ministerio de Producción de la Argentina (“SECOM”), which are Argentina’s
antitrust regulators. On March 14, 2018, SECOM, based on the CNDC’s favorable opinion, approved the transaction, pending review
and approval by the CNDC of the terms and conditions of the definitive contracts in respect thereof. On April 27, 2018, after receiving
the approval from CNDC and SECOM, the Parties were legally obliged to close the transaction. On May 2, 2018, the abovementioned transaction
(the “Transaction”) was executed, which included, among other matters: (i) the early termination of the Budweiser brand license
agreement in Argentina, between the Parties and (ii) the transfer to CCU Argentina of the ownership of the Isenbeck, Diosa, Norte, Iguana
and Báltica brands, as well as the transfer of the licenses for Argentina of the international brands Warsteiner and Grolsch. In
order to achieve an orderly transition of the aforementioned brands, the Transaction contemplates several contracts in which (i) CCU Argentina
produces Budweiser, on behalf of ABI, for a period of up to one year; (ii) ABI produces Isenbeck and Diosa, on behalf of CCU Argentina,
for a period of up to one year and (iii) ABI carries out the production and distribution of Iguana, Norte, Báltica, Grolsch and
Warsteiner, on behalf of CCU Argentina, for a period of up to three years (the “Transition Brands”). As a consequence, as
of May 2, 2018, CCU Argentina began commercializing Isenbeck and Diosa and ceased selling Budweiser. As part of the terms of the Transaction,
CCU Argentina received from ABI a cash payment of USD 306 million, as part of its compensation for the early termination of the license
contract for the Budweiser brand, as well as an additional USD 10 million for producing Budweiser on behalf of ABI for a year. CCU Argentina
also received from ABI payments of up to USD 28 million per year, for a period of up to three years (through May 2021), which depended
on the scope and length of the transition of the production and/or commercialization of the Transition Brands.
On August 9, 2018, CCU exercised its option to
purchase from Grupo Monasterio, holder of 66% of BBO capital stock, 30,286, ordinary shares of BBO, representing 17% of the total capital
stock of BBO, with which CCU increased its stake from 34% to 51%, with Grupo Monasterio retaining the remaining 49%. Subsequently, on
December 17, 2018, CCU contributed the totality of its BBO shares to its subsidiary CCU Inversiones II Ltda. (currently CCU Inversiones
II SpA), the current shareholder and controller of BBO.
On August 17, 2018, CCU placed a three million
UF bond in the Chilean market. The 25-year bullet note was priced at 2.85% in UF’s (Chile’s inflation adjusted currency),
which represented a spread of 68 bps over the Chilean Central Bank bond (BCU) with the same duration.
On September 4, 2018, CCU and 29 other companies
in Chile, signed a Zero Waste to Landfill Clean Production Agreement (CPA), together with the Chilean government’s Sustainability
and Climate Change Agency (ASCC) and the Recycling Industry National Association. In this agreement, the participating companies committed
to reducing to zero the waste that they send to landfills, within a period of two years.
In November of 2018, and as part of our electromobility
plan, CCU began to operate the first 100% electric, high-tonnage truck in the country. With a capacity of up to 13 tons and a range of
280 kilometers, the heavy-load vehicle will be used to transport CCU’s products in Santiago. CCU’s goal is for electric trucks
to represent 50% of the fleet by 2030.
At the end of 2018, CCU finalized the construction
of the new distribution center as part of the CCU Renca Project. The new distribution center has a 22,500 square meter warehouse and uses
100% electricity-powered machinery, in addition to being a zero-waste-to-landfill operation.
In 2019, CCU started the construction of the
production plant for non-alcoholic beverages, as part of the CCU Renca Project, and it is expected to be operational by the end of 2020.
This project incorporates the latest technology for efficient and sustainable production and distribution.
On May 31, 2019, CCU, through its subsidiary
Viña San Pedro Tarapacá S.A., completed the purchase of the wine assets of Pernod Ricard Argentina SRL, which included the
brands Graffigna, Colón and Santa Silvia.
17
On August 8, 2019, CCU announced that CPCh, acting
through the companies Inversiones Internacionales SpA and International Spirits Investments USA LLC, communicated to LDLM Investments
LLC their decision to start a process of selling their total participation in Americas Distilling Investments LLC, owner of the Peruvian
company Bodega San Isidro SRL and Barsol brand. In March of 2021, CPCh communicated to LDLM Investments LLC its decision not to proceed
with the sale of its interest in Americas Distilling Investments LLC.
In December 2019, as part of our 2030 Environmental
Vision plan, CCU committed for the next ten years to: (i) continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions per liter produced to reach a 50%
reduction, (ii) continue optimizing water consumption per liter produced, until a 60% reduction is achieved, (iii) 100% valorization of
industrial solid waste, (iv) use 75% renewable energy, (v) use 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging, and (vi) aim for our
packaging to be made on average of 50% recycled material.
In 2020, the Company implemented a regional plan
with three priorities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: (i) the safety of our people and the community we interact with, (ii) operation
continuity, and (iii) financial health. This allowed us to continue supplying our clients and consumers with our products and maintaining
a safe work environment in all the countries the Company operates.
On February 18, 2020, the subsidiary Cervecería
Kunstmann S.A. (“CK”) acquired 50.1% from the company Mahina SpA.
On March 20, 2020, the Company and its subsidiary
Cervecera CCU Chile Ltda. incorporated the subsidiary ECOMCCU S.A., renamed as La Barra S.A. on December 2, 2020, with the purpose of
marketing and selling beverages, food products and household items.
On May
12, 2020, the subsidiary Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. acquired an additional 27% of the shares of the Paraguayan company Sajonia Brewing
Company S.R.L. (currently Sajonia Brewing Company S.A.), reaching a participation of 78% of that aforementioned company. On July 1, 2020,
our subsidiaries Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. and Distribuidora del Paraguay S.A. acquired the remaining non-controlling part of Sajonia
Brewing Company S.A. by acquiring a participation of 21% and 1%, respectively, reaching a stake of 100% of the shares.
In June,
2020, Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A. placed corporate bonds in the Chilean Market in an aggregate amount of 6.5
million UF, of which Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A. placed 7-year bonds in an amount of 3 million UF and 10-year
bonds in an amount of 2 million UF, with an interest rate of 0.85% and 1.20% per annum, respectively, while our subsidiary VSPT issued
5-year bonds in an amount of 1.5 million UF, with an interest rate of 0.5% per annum, reflecting the market’s confidence in CCU
in the long term.
In November 2020, through its subsidiary CPCh,
CCU started a new category in Chile, by launching the first hard seltzer in this market, under the name of Hard Fresh, a gluten-free product
based on carbonated water with 5° of alcohol and a light touch of natural fruit, responding to the trend of conscious consumption
and the search for more natural and lighter-calorie products.
In December 2020, CCU completed its 2020 Environmental
Vision plan, which implied in 2010 the establishment of specific commitments in terms of reducing the use of water per liter produced,
reducing the emission of greenhouse gases per liter produced, and the valorization by a 100% of industrial solid waste. At the end of
2020, CCU far exceeded the proposed goals in two of the objectives, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions per liter produced by 35.7% (the
goal was 20%) and contracting the use of water per liter produced by 48.6% (the goal was 33%). Regarding the valorization of industrial
solid waste, we reached 99.4% (the goal was 100%).
On March 24, 2021, IRSA acquired 5,780,000 shares
of Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A. in Chile, equivalent to 1.56% of its share capital. Prior to such purchase,
IRSA directly owned 53.16% of Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A.’s shares and had an indirect participation
of 6.84% through its subsidiary Inversiones IRSA Limitada (amounting to a 61.56% direct and indirect ownership). Pursuant to Article
198 Section 5 of Law No. 18,045 (the “Chilean Capital Market Law”) and Circular No. 1,514 of the CMF, IRSA made a partial
tender offer (“Tender Offer”) for the acquisition of up to 16,390,172 ordinary shares of Compañía Cervecerías
Unidas S.A., including those in the form of ADSs, representing 4.44% of its share capital. The Tender Offer was conducted in Chile and
the United States of America between May 19 and June 17, 2021, and during such period IRSA received tenders for 15,907,548 shares (including
4,884,800 shares represented by ADSs), representing approximately 4.31% of Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A.’s
share capital. Consequently, following acceptance of the shares tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer, IRSA became the direct and indirect
holder of 65.87% of Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A.’s shares.
18
During April, July and August 2021, CCU increased
its participation in the cider business in Argentina, through its subsidiary Compañía Industrial Cervecera S.A., through
the acquisition of 1,124,111 shares of the capital stock of Argentine company Sáenz Briones y Cía. S.A.I.C., reaching 99.9419%
interest in said company.
In September and October 2021, we increased our
participation in Viña San Pedro Tarapacá S.A. through the acquisition of 603,639,429 shares of VSPT through our subsidiary
CCU Inversiones S.A., reaching a participation of 84.5159% as of December 2021.
In line with our environmental vision, in September
2021 we inaugurated and started operating our new non-alcoholic plant “Embotelladora CCU Renca”, which counts with high environmental
care standards, such as zero industrial waste to landfills, 100% recyclable packaging, and efficient technology enabling low water consumption.
Furthermore, this plant uses 100% renewable energy sources and has a low level of greenhouse gas emissions.
In January 2022, Compañía Cervecerías
Unidas S.A. issued and placed a 10-year USD 600 million international bond, under Rule 144A and Regulation S of the US Securities Act
of 1933, for general corporate purposes, reaching a yield to maturity of 3.365% (165 basis points spread) and at a coupon rate of 3.350%.
This process began late 2021 and culminated in early 2022.
In April 2022, Compañía Cervecerías
Unidas S.A. issued and placed in the Chilean Market 10-year bonds in a principal amount of UF 2 million (equivalent to CLP 73,579 million
as of December 31, 2023) maturing on March 15, 2032, with an interest rate of 3.20% per annum. Also, in December 2022, the Company issued
20-year bonds, for a total of UF 4 million (equivalent to CLP 147,157 million as of December 31, 2023) maturing on September 15, 2042.
These bonds were placed with an interest rate of 2.72% per annum.
On April 28, 2022, CCU through its subsidiary,
Compañía Cervecerías Unidas Argentina S.A. acquired 49% of the ownership of Aguas Danone de Argentina S.A. ("ADA"),
accounted using the equity method, which includes the business of mineral waters, flavored waters and powdered juices with its brands
Villavicencio, Villa del Sur, Levité, Ser and Brío. Also, on the same day, the subsidiary Compañía Cervecerías
Unidas Argentina S.A., acquired 49,000 ordinary, nominative, non-endorsable shares of Aguas de Origen S.A. ("ADO"), reaching
a 49% interest in this company. It should be noted that ADO, is the continuation of the business of Aguas Danone de Argentina S.A., which
was effective as of December 1, 2022.
On November 30, 2022, we acquired from Holding
Internationale De Boissons S.A.S. an additional 1% of the shares of ADO, thus reaching a 50% shareholding in this company.
In 2023 we integrated the water joint venture Aguas
de Origen S.A. to the sales and distribution network of our subsidiaries in Argentina. This allowed us to develop the synergies inherent
to our multi-category strategy.
In 2024 we consolidated Aguas de Origen S.A., which
will continue to generate synergies for our operations in that country. This consolidation took place in July 2024, the date on which
our subsidiary Compañía Cervecerías Unidas Argentina S.A. (CCU Argentina) exercised the stock option contained in
the shareholders' agreement, which allowed it to acquire 8,471,349 shares, representing a 0.1% interest in Aguas de Origen S.A. Following
such acquisition, as of the date of this report, CCU Argentina owns 50.1% of Aguas de Origen S.A.
Additionally, in July 2022, the Company acquired
the brand Volcanes del Sur, a premium beer brand in Chile.
On December 30, 2022, our subsidiary CPCh signed
a series of contracts and agreements to acquire a controlling interest in D&D SpA, a company which specializes in premium frozen cocktails
in Chile, mainly through the brand La Pizka. CPCh’s payment in respect of the acquired shares in D&D SpA was subject to the
satisfaction of certain conditions, all of which were completed in January 2023. Consequently, we will begin to consolidate D&D SpA
in our financial statements beginning in 2023.
In March
2023, CCU entered into irrevocable and definitive agreements with respect to Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. and Distribuidora del Paraguay
S.A., which established the exit of the Cartes Group from said companies, and the incorporation of a new partner Sudameris Bank S.A.E.C.A.
(“Sudameris”). By virtue of this, CCU, through its subsidiary CCU Inversiones II SpA, increased its shareholding in Bebidas
del Paraguay S.A. from 50.005% to 55.007%, and in Distribuidora del Paraguay S.A. from 49.959% to 54.964%, with Sudameris Bank S.A.E.C.A.
holding the remaining shares of both companies. Later, in February 2024, according to the Put and Call Option Agreement entered into
on March 16, 2023 between CCU Inversiones II SpA and Sudameris, and due to the exercise of the Put option by Sudameris, CCU Inversiones
II SpA and CCU Inversiones S.A., the latter also a subsidiary of CCU, acquired all of the shares of Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. and Distribuidora
del Paraguay S.A., owned by Sudameris.
19
In October 2024, the subsidiaries of Compañía
Cervecerías Unidas S.A., CCU Inversiones II SpA and CCU Inversiones S.A., shareholders of Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. and Distribuidora
del Paraguay S.A., entered into binding and definitive association agreements with Vierci Group, which held the license of beverages
and the distribution of snacks of PepsiCo in Paraguay, through its companies AV S.A. and AJ S.A. Calidad Ante Todo. As a result of these
agreements, CCU holds 51% of the shares of AV S.A. and Distribuidora del Paraguay S.A. and, once all agreed-upon conditions were met
in 2026, retains the 51% of the shares in Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. The remaining 49% of the shares of these companies are under the
ownership of the Vierci Group. Consequently, Paraguay became the second country where the PepsiCo license is part of CCU's brand portfolio,
in addition to Chile. The Vierci Group, with 57 years of experience across various sectors, has its headquarters in Paraguay and develops
its commercial activities in Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Panama, Uruguay and the United States.
In May 2023, as part of our internationalization
strategy, which seeks the growth and premiumization of our portfolio, VSPT Wine Group opened a sales office in Shanghai, China. In 2024,
through our subsidiary CCU Inversiones S.A., we increased our controlling interest in Viña San Pedro Tarapacá S.A. by 0.47%,
bringing our indirect ownership to 85.17%, and CCU’s total ownership to 85.15%.
Regarding sustainability initiatives, in October
2023 we celebrated our 5th Sustainability Summit, updating our Sustainability Strategy, which we named “Juntos por un Mejor Vivir”.
This update includes 2 pillars: “Our Planet” and “Our People”, addressing 8 main topics. Under “Our Planet”
we will cover Water Balance, Circular Vocation, Climate Challenge and Responsible Procurement as main challenges, while Under “Our
People”, we will address “SER CCU” Experience, Passion for the Consumer, Conscious Consumption and Country Progress.
All these 8 topics translate into 20 goals by 2030.
On December 29, 2023, ook following the resignation
of Mr. Andrónico Luksic, who was a member of the board of directors of CCU S.A. for more than 36 years, Mr. Francisco Pérez
took over as chairman of the board of directors of CCU S.A. until his resignation effective January 31, 2026. Our current chairman of
the board is Mr. Pablo Granifo Lavín.
In 2024 we elaborated the 2025 - 2027 Strategic
Plan, in which we reaffirmed our three Strategic Pillars: Profitability, Growth and Sustainability. In Profitability, we have a series
of initiatives to improve our margins, both in revenue management and in cost and expense efficiencies, supported by the implementation
of new technological tools. In Growth, our focus will be on expanding the scale of our business and continuing to strengthen our regional
presence and brand preference. In Sustainability, we will continue to work on our strategy “Juntos por un Mejor Vivir” and
its two pillars, Planet and People.
As announced in 2023, in 2024 we consolidated our
commitment with sustainability and circular economy by inaugurating the first plastic bottle-to-bottle Recycling Plant in Chile, which
produces rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) Recycled Resin, under the name "CirCCUlar". This plant uses state-of-the-art
technology, consumes 100% certified renewable energy and reuses water from its processes, reducing its environmental impact, aligned
with our sustainability goals and strategy. In addition, it is projected that by 2025 the plant will generate 15% of its energy consumption
through solar panels. We estimate a production capacity of more than 18,000 tons of PET per year, allowing us to recycle 870 million
bottles per year.
In 2025, CCU celebrated its 175th anniversary, an
extraordinary milestone that recognized the Company's deep connection with the economic, social, and cultural development of Chile since
its origins in 1850 with the founding of the Joaquín Plagemann brewery in Valparaíso. This anniversary served to highlight
CCU's successful evolution from the country's first industrial brewery into a regional multi-category leader with more than 180 brands
and a direct presence in six countries. Additionally, during the year, the Company marked other significant institutional anniversaries:
the 30th anniversary of its multi-category operations in Argentina; the 20th anniversary of its subsidiary Compañía Pisquera
de Chile S.A. (CPCh), highlighting two decades of partnership and leadership in the pisco industry; and the 120th anniversary of our
flagship soft drink brand, “Bilz y Pap”, one of the oldest and most enduring brands, originally introduced to the market
in 1905, demonstrating its longevity and continued relevance across generations in the non-alcoholic category.
20
Capital Expenditures
The
capital expenditure figures for the last three years disclosed below reconcile to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Our
capital expenditures for the last three years were CLP 129,448 million, CLP 160,086 million and
CLP 156,901 million, for 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. In the three-year period, the amount of capital expenditures totaled CLP 446,435
million, of which CLP 306,692 million was invested in Chile and CLP 139,743 million outside Chile.
Our
overall focus of our capital expenditures is to ensure that we have an adequate level of capacity for our operations, improve and optimize
the distribution chain, replace returnable bottles and crates, and expand our commercial assets footprint (mainly refrigerators), while
ensuring we keep investing in safety for employees, facilities (plants and logistics centers) and environmental initiatives and the integration
of new operations, among others.
During
2023, 72% of our capital investments were allocated to our operations in Chile. The primary allocation of these investments was to increase
our capacity in the Temuco and Santiago plants; by improving beer packaging lines. We also implemented a new packaging line (hot fill)
at our CCU Renca plant, in Santiago. Additionally, at the CCU Renca plant, we began construction of the CirCCUlar plant. We began the
investment in the Isla de Maipo plant as a premium wine location.
During
2024, 67% of our capital investments were allocated to our operations in Chile. The main objective of these investments was to optimize
and improve our logistics operations, and we expanded the capacity of our Distribution Center in Temuco. We completed the construction
and commissioning of our recycling plant (CirCCUlar) in Renca. We increased our spirits bottling capacity in Ovalle. We developed the
second stage of specialization at the Isla de Maipo plant and continued with the replanting plan in our wine business. We began the development
of our new sales system (Enlace), as well as the acceleration and strengthening of our cybersecurity master plan.
During 2025, 68% of our capital investments
were allocated to our operations in Chile. The main objective was to optimize the industrial operations, as well as to improve processes,
buy equipment and mitigate risks associated with our employee’s safety, working conditions and critical infrastructure. We also
began construction of a new bottling line (civil works) at our CCU Renca plant in Santiago. Additionally, at the CCU Temuco plant, we
started construction of a new logistics center to optimize our operations in South of Chile. We initiated the necessary investments to
meet new consumer trends in the ready to drinks and isotonic beverage segments in Chile and Argentina. We continue to optimize our wine
storage and processing capacity at our Molina plant and completed our project at the Isla de Maipo plant as a premium wine center.
In Paraguay, we completed the integration
of our operations with the AJ Vierci group, and at the Pepsi plant, we invested on improving our facilities and processes. In addition,
we continued with the technology transformation with focus on sales and distribution tools updates together with our cybersecurity plan
at a regional level.
The
financing of investments derives mainly from the operating cash flow generated by the Company, in addition to debt from the financial
markets, always aiming to maintain a healthy financial profile.
The
following table shows our primary capital expenditures for the period 2023-2025. (See ITEM 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
– B. Liquidity and Capital Resources – Capital Expenditures for the 2025-2028 period).
2023 2024 2025
(millions of CLP)
Chile 92,953 107,097 106,643
Abroad 36,495 52,990 50,259
Total 129,448 160,086 156,901
21
B. Business Overview
1) Summary
CCU is
a multi-category beverage company with operations in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay. CCU is one of the largest
players in each one of the beverage categories in which it participates in Chile, including beer, soft drinks, mineral and bottled water,
juice, wine, cider and pisco, among others. CCU is the second-largest brewer in Argentina and also participates in the cider, spirits
and wine industries. Also, in Argentina, the Company participates in a joint venture with Danone in the mineral and flavored water business.
In Uruguay and Paraguay, the Company is present in the beer, mineral and bottled water, soft drinks, wine, and juice categories. Also,
from 2024 the Company distributes PepsiCo’s snacks portfolio in Paraguay. In Bolivia, CCU participates in the beer, water, soft
drinks, juice and malt beverage categories. In Colombia, the Company participates in the beer and malt beverage industry. The Company’s
principal licensing, distribution and / or joint venture agreements include Heineken Brouwerijen B.V., PepsiCo Inc., Seven-up International,
Schweppes Holdings Limited, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Pernod Ricard Chile S.A., Promarca S.A. (Watt’s),
Red Bull Panamá S.A. (currently Red Bull Chile SpA), Stokely Van Camp Inc., and Coors Brewing Company.
CCU reports
its consolidated results pursuant to the following Operating segments, essentially defined with respect to its revenues in the geographic
areas of commercial activity: Chile, International Business and Wine. These Operating segments mentioned are consistent with the way the
Company is managed and how results will be reported by CCU. These segments reflect separate operating results which are regularly reviewed
by each segment Chief Operating Decision Maker in order to make decisions about the resources to be allocated to the segment and assess
its performance. Corporate revenues and expenses are presented separately as Other.
In 2015,
the Committee of International Business was created, which brought together management of business activities in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay
and Uruguay. The Committee of International Business also represents and looks after the interests associated with investments in Colombia,
which continue to report their results under Equity and Income of JVs and are associated on a consolidated basis.
Over the last three years, our strategic priorities
have evolved as follows:
In 2023, the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan was
enhanced by the implementation of “HerCCUles”, a recovery profitability plan, which encompasses six pillars: (i) maintain
business scale, (ii) strengthen revenue management efforts, (iii) enhance the “CCU Transformation” program to deliver efficiency
gains in costs and expenses, (iv) optimize CAPEX and working capital, (v) focus on core brands and high volume/margin innovations, and
(vi) continue investing in our brand equity.
In 2024, we completed the execution of the
regional “HerCCUles” plan. Likewise, during 2024 we prepared the 2025 - 2027 Strategic Plan, which has four Strategic Objectives
based on our three Strategic Pillars: Profitability, Growth and Sustainability. The first Strategic Objective is to Improve operating
margins; the second is to Capitalize on growth opportunities, expanding the scale of our business and strengthening our regional presence;
the third is to Progress in “Juntos por un Mejor Vivir”, in its two pillars, Planet and People. Finally, all of the above
is reflected in the Operating Segments, where the fourth Strategic Objective clearly defines the focuses, challenges and specific actions
for each one, in order to achieve the goals established in the 2025 - 2027 Strategic Plan.
During the year 2025, the Company advanced
on its 2025-2027 Strategic Plan making progress in its three strategic pillars: Profitability, Growth, and Sustainability. In terms of
Profitability, the main Operating segment, Chile, expanded its EBITDA above inflation through revenue management and operational efficiencies,
while boosting high-margin innovations. In terms of growth, the Company strengthened its regional presence by integrating PepsiCo beverage
portfolio and snack portfolio in Paraguay, expanding its water business in Argentina despite economic challenges, and increasing its beer
scale in Colombia and Bolivia. It also successfully captured evolving consumer trends in Chile with strong growth in low-alcohol and ready-to-drink
(“RTD”) products, which helped expand its overall market share. Finally, under its sustainability strategy, the company achieved
key environmental goals by reducing industrial water consumption and reached major social milestones, including high employee satisfaction,
top employer certifications, improved citizen brand rankings, and recognition for excellent corporate governance practices.
22
2) Overview
Overview: Chile Operating segment
We estimate
that our weighted volume market share for the Chile Operating segment was approximately 45.0%, 44.9% and 44.8% in 2023, 2024 and 2025,
respectively. The calculation of the weighted average for past periods includes markets and industries that CCU entered at a later date.
Weighted volume market share includes all categories in which CCU participates in the Chilean domestic market, excluding HOD, powder drinks
and energy drinks, according to Nielsen figures.
We produce
and sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Chile. In the beer category, we carry a wide portfolio of products which includes premium,
mainstream and convenience brands, which are primarily marketed under different proprietary brands and licensed brands. We are the exclusive
producer and distributor of Heineken, Sol and Coors beer in Chile. Also, we produce and distribute Kunstmann, Dolbek, Guayacan, Mahina,
Szot, Volcanes del Sur, Polar Imperial, Patagonia and Austral beer in Chile via distribution or license agreements.
Our non-alcoholic
beverages in Chile include carbonated soft drinks (both cola and non-cola), juices, sports and energy drinks, ice tea, and water, which
include mineral, purified and flavored bottled water. These include both our proprietary brands and brands produced under license, from
PepsiCo (carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks), Schweppes Holdings (carbonated soft drinks) and Promarca
(juice and fruit-flavored beverages). In the energy drinks business, we are the exclusive distributor of Red Bull energy drinks in Chile.
We also produce and distribute Gatorade, under license from Stokely Van Camp Inc. In addition, we also produce and distribute purified
waters under license from Societé des Produits Nestlé S.A. and others, and distribute the imported brand Perrier. We also
participate in the ready-to-mix category with instant powder drinks in a joint operation with Empresas Carozzi S.A. Additionally, we have
a distribution agreement with Nestlé for RTD coffee drinks with milk and milk drinks with coffee under Nescafé and Starbucks
brands.
We also
produce and distribute pisco and cocktails, rum, low Alcohol-By-Volume (“ABV”) and gin in Chile. In addition, we distribute
Pernod Ricard products, such as whisky, vodka, rum, gin and other spirits, in non-supermarket retail stores. Also, we distribute Fratelli
Branca products, mainly Fernet, a blend of herbs and spices liquor, and we distribute cider from Argentina.
Wholesale
and retail prices of all the previously mentioned categories are not regulated in Chile. Wholesale prices are subject to negotiation between
the producer and the purchaser, while retailers determine retail prices to the final consumer. We believe that the key factors determining
retailers’ prices include national and/or local price promotions offered by the manufacturer, the nature of product consumption
(on-premise or off-premise), the type of packaging (returnable or non-returnable), the applicable tax structure and the desired profit
margins considering all related costs and expenditures such as marketing, sales, distribution, and administrative expenses (MSD&A)
and production.
We have
implemented the integration of the route-to-market of the beer and non-alcoholic category in Chile throughout the country, and at the
same time, the Company incorporated into the Chile Operating segment the business activities performed by the Strategic Service Units
(“SSU”), which include Transportes CCU Limitada (“Transportes CCU”), Comercial CCU S.A. (“Comercial CCU”),
CRECCU S.A. (“CRECCU”) and Fábrica de Envases de Plásticos S.A. (“Plasco”).
Comercial
CCU is responsible for the sale of the Company’s whole portfolio of products through a single sales force in those areas where this
synergic sales model is more efficient. Additionally, product distribution is handled by our subsidiary Transportes CCU. Comercial Patagona
Limitada (“Comercial Patagona”) handles our sales and distribution in the Magallanes Region. In the case of our HOD service,
Manantial directly handles its own sales and distribution, given the nature of the business.
As part
of CCU’s innovation and digital transformation initiatives, we broadened our e-commerce sales channels through the launch of a modern
online sales website in Chile during 2019, called “La Barra”, providing a new experience for consumers through home delivery
of our portfolio. During 2025, through La Barra, we delivered products to over 59,965 households in Chile.
Plasco,
a subsidiary of CCU, produces nearly all plastic caps and injected preforms we use to produce plastic bottles in the Chile Operating segment.
23
Overview:
International Business Operating segment
We estimate
that our weighted volume market share for the International Business Operating segment was approximately 17.1%, 18.7% and 19.7% in 2023,
2024 and 2025, respectively. It is worth mentioning that 2024’s market share includes our participation in plain and flavored water
in Argentina for the full-year, from the consolidation of ADO, and the market share of the brands included in the association with the
Vierci Group in Paraguay since we started consolidating this business, this is, since October 2024.
We produce
and/or import, sell and distribute beer under proprietary brands and licensed brands in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. We also
produce, sell and distribute cider in Argentina.
In Argentina,
we are the exclusive producer and distributor of Heineken, Amstel, Sol, Grolsch, Warsteiner and Miller beer brands; and the exclusive
distributor of imported Kunstmann and Blue Moon beer brands. We export Imperial, Schneider, Heineken, Blue Moon, Amstel, Warsteiner and
Miller beer to Uruguay; and Heineken to Bolivia all from Argentina. Additionally, we have the license to distribute beer under the Heineken
brand through our subsidiaries in Paraguay and Bolivia. Our non-alcoholic beverages in Argentina include mineral, purified and flavored
bottled water through the brands Villavicencio, Villa del Sur, Levité, Ser, Brío and an isotonic drink under the brand Full
Sport.
In Uruguay,
through our subsidiaries, we produce mineral water under the Nativa and Nix brands, carbonated soft drinks under Nix, juices under Watt's,
and isotonic products under Full Sport. We also distribute imported wines from VSPT (Misiones de Rengo, Finca La Celia, and Eugenio Bustos)
and are licensed to distribute imported beers, including Heineken, Schneider, Imperial, Kuntsmann, Miller, Amstel, and Escudo Silver.
In 2024 we incorporated the cider category with 1888 and Real brands produced in Argentina.
In Paraguay,
through our subsidiaries, we produce and distribute juices under the brands Puro Sol; mineral and tonic water with La Fuente; carbonated
soft drinks under the brands Pulp, Pepsi, Paso de los Toros, Miranda, 7up and Split; in isotonic beverages, the Gatorade brand; in energy
drinks, the Rockstar and Red Bull. In snacks, we produce and distribute the brands Lays, Doritos, Cheetos, Fandango and Quaker, among
others. Also, we have a license to produce and distribute juices under the Watt’s brand and a license to distribute beer under the
Heineken, Amstel, Sol, Schin, Paulaner, Blue Moon and Kunstmann brands. We also have the license to import and distribute the isotonic
beverage Full Sport. In craft beers, we have the Sajonia brand and its varieties, which are produced locally.
In Bolivia,
through our subsidiary BBO, we produce and distribute beer under the brands Real, Capital, Cordillera, Uyuni, Amstel and Schneider; and
carbonated soft drinks under Mendocina, Sinalco and Malta Real. The latter is a soft drink with sugar based on malt, but without alcohol.
We also participate in the water category under Mendocina and De la Sierra brands. In addition, through BBO, we sell and distribute Heineken,
an imported beer brand.
In Argentina,
Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay we use our own sales force, as well as third party distributors.
Overview:
Wine Operating segment
VSPT produces
and markets a full range of wine products for the Chilean and Argentine domestic markets and export markets, reaching over 80 countries.
The weighted average volume market share was 20.0%, 18.4% and 19.4% in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. The calculation of the weighted
average for past periods includes markets and industries that CCU entered at a later date. In 2025, VSPT’s sales amounted to approximately
35.7% of total measured domestic industry sales by volume in Chile, according to Nielsen, and 12.4% of total Chilean wine export sales
by volume, when excluding bulk wine, according to Wines of Chile Association.
VSPT’s
primary vineyards are located in the main viticulture valleys in Chile, with production plants in the cities of Molina, Totihue, Isla
de Maipo and also in Mendoza and San Juan, Argentina.
Overview:
Joint Ventures and Associated Companies
CCU is
an equal joint owner with Maltexco S.A. (former Malterías Unidas S.A.) of Cervecería Austral S.A., a company that produces,
sells and distributes Austral beer in Chile. Additionally, Cervecería CCU has a two-year renewable license agreement, subject
to compliance with the conditions established in the agreement, for the production of Austral Lager beer, returnable liter containers
and kegs in Chile and a distribution agreement for the sale and marketing of all Austral products in Chile, with the exception of the
Magallanes Region, where selling and distribution is carried out by Comercial Patagona Ltda.
24
In Colombia,
CCU participates in equal parts with Grupo Postobón in the ownership of Central Cervecera de Colombia S.A.S. (“CCC”)
and Zona Franca Central Cervecera S.A.S. (“ZFCC”) for the production, marketing and distribution in Colombia of beer and
malt-based non-alcoholic beverages. CCC has exclusive contracts to import, distribute and produce in Colombia beers under the Heineken,
Tecate and Sol brands,and for the production, marketing and distribution of the Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft brands. It also
has its own brands of local beer Andina and Andina Light, Natumalta for non-alcoholic malt-based beverages, and Andina “Refajo”,
a mixture of beer and soda. Under the current management model, ZFCC produces our products in the plant inaugurated in May 2019, which
it sells to CCC for marketing and distribution. Under a similar model, Artesanos de Cervezas S.A.S., a subsidiary of CCC, produces the
3 Cordilleras brand, which is marketed and distributed by CCC.
3) The Beverage Market[1]
The Beverage Market: Chile
Operating segment
The Chilean
beer industry had an estimated size of 1,047 million liters in 2025. The main packaging presentations are non-returnable aluminum cans,
returnable and non-returnable glass bottles, while the predominant distribution channels are the off-premise channel, the latter mainly
composed of liquor stores and convenience stores, and supermarkets.
The non-alcoholic
beverages market in Chile consists of both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. The principal types of carbonated beverages are colas,
non-colas and carbonated mineral bottled water. The non-carbonated beverages are fruit juices, functional drinks and non-carbonated mineral,
purified and flavored bottled water. The main packaging presentations for non-alcoholic categories are non-returnable and returnable
plastic bottles. In 2025, the Chilean carbonated soft drink industry had an estimated size of 2,508 million liters; the water[2]
industry had an estimated size of 948 million liters; the nectar and juices[3]
industry had an estimated size of 362 million liters; and the functional drinks[4]
industry had a size of 234 million liters.
The following
table sets forth Nielsen estimates as to the percentage of total carbonated soft drinks sales in Chile, represented by each of the two
principal categories of carbonated soft drinks during the last three years:
Type 2023 2024 2025
Colas 61 % 63 % 63 %
Non-colas 39 % 37 % 37 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
Traditionally,
beer, wine and pisco have been the principal alcoholic beverages consumed in Chile. Pisco is a distilled wine spirit, produced in the
regions of Atacama and Coquimbo in the north of Chile. The spirits[5]
industry had an estimated size of 116 million liters in 2025.
[1]The
source of the size of each industry is GlobalData: Quarterly Beverage Forecast, with the exception of the beer industry in Chile and Argentina,
which corresponds to an internal estimate.
[2]Includes
HOD, packaged water, flavored water and enhanced water.
[3]Includes
Nectars, juices and still drinks.
[4]Includes
Sports drinks, Energy drinks and Iced tea.
[5]Includes
spirits and flavored alcoholic beverages (FABs)
25
The beverage
excise taxes in Chile are as shown in the following table:
Category Current Excise Tax
Beer 20.5 %
Wine 20.5 %
Spirits 31.5 %
Sugar containing Soft drink(1) 18.0 %
No sugar containing Soft drink(2) 10.0 %
Flavored Water 10.0 %
(1) more than 15 gr / 240 ml of sugar
(2) with 15 gr / 240 ml or less of sugar
The Beverage Market: International
Business Operating segment
In Argentina,
beer and wine have been the principal alcoholic beverages consumed in this country. In 2025, the Argentine beer industry had an estimated
size of 1,635 million liters and the cider industry had an estimated size of 95 million liters. Regarding non-alcoholic categories, the
water[6] industry has an estimated size of
4,730 million liters.
The following
table shows current nominal Argentinean excise taxes:
Category Current Excise Tax
Beer 14.0 %
Whisky 26.0 %
10% - 29% alcohol content 20.0 %
30% or more alcohol content 26.0 %
Wine - cider 0.0 %
Flavored soft drinks, mineral water and juices 4.0% - 8.0 %
In Uruguay,
we participate in the beer and non-alcoholic beverages categories since our entrance to the market in 2012, with both proprietary and
under license brands. Later, in 2019 we added wine into our portfolio. In 2025, the Uruguayan beer industry had an estimated size of 113
million liters; the wine[7] industry had an
estimated size of 42 million liters; the carbonated soft drink industry had an estimated size of 374 million liters; the water[8]
industry had an estimated size of 496 million liters; and the nectar and juices[9]
industry had an estimated size of 45 million liters.
In Paraguay,
we participate in the beer and non-alcoholic beverages categories since our entrance to the market in 2013, with both proprietary and
under license brands. Later, in 2020 we added wine into our portfolio. In 2025, the Paraguayan beer industry had an estimated size of
352 million liters; the wine industry had an estimated size of 64 million liters; the carbonated soft drink industry had an estimated
size of 656 million liters; the water[6] industry had an estimated size of 512 million liters; and the nectar and juices[6]
industry had a size of 89 million liters.
In Bolivia,
we participate in the beer and non-alcoholic beverages categories, with both proprietary and under license brands. Our operation in Bolivia
is consolidated in our Income Statements since August 2018. In 2025, the Bolivian beer industry had an estimated size of 390 million liters;
the carbonated soft drink industry had an estimated size of 1,304 million liters; and the water[6] industry had an estimated
size of 311 million liters.
[6]Includes
HOD, packaged water, flavored water and enhanced water.
[7]Includes
still wine, sparkling wine and fortified wine.
[8]Includes
HOD, packaged water, flavored water and enhanced water.
[9]Includes
Nectars, juices and still drinks.
26
The Beverage Market: Wine Operating segment
The Chilean
wine[10] industry had an estimated size of
133 million liters in 2025. Wines in Chile can be segmented by product type. Chilean wineries produce and sell premium, varietal and popular-priced
wines within the domestic market. Premium wines and many of the varietal wines are produced from high-quality grapes, aged and packaged
in glass bottles. Popular-priced wines are usually produced using non-varietal grapes and are not aged. These products are generally sold
in either cartons or jug packaging.
4) Production and Marketing
Production and Marketing: Chile Operating segment
The production,
marketing and sales of beverages in Chile generated net sales of CLP 1,758,971 million, CLP 1,829,244 million and CLP 1,914,528 in 2023,
2024 and 2025, respectively, or 68.6%, 65.8.0%, of CCU’s consolidated Net sales in those years. Our sales by volume in Chile increased
1.1% in 2025.
Under each
license agreement, we have the right to produce and/or sell and distribute the respective licensed products in Chile. Generally, under
our license agreements, we are required to maintain certain standards of quality with respect to the production of licensed products,
to achieve certain levels of marketing and, in certain cases, to fulfill minimum sales requirements. We strongly believe that we are in
compliance with all of our license agreements.
Our brands
Cristal and Escudo are the best-selling proprietary parent beer brands in Chile. Other relevant proprietary parent brands are: Royal Guard
and Royal Guard CER0,0°, our premium beer brand; Morenita, our dark beer brand; Dorada, our convenience brand; and Stones, a flavored
sweetened beer with 2.5% alcohol content. From time to time, we introduce innovations and brand extensions to our most relevant brands.
For example, during 2025 we launched Royal Guard Hazy Lager, Royal Guard Rosé Lager, and Royal Guard Sweet Lager, adding to the
existing range of Royal Guard beers. Austral continued its innovations with Patagonia, launching Patagonia Epic Mixes in Moscow Mule flavor.
Kunstmann launched Kunstmann Lager Blanc, Radler Limón, and Radler Pomelo, and also continued adding varieties to its Limited Edition
Experimental beers. Finally, Stones launched its new variety, Stones Sandía.
On April
28, 2003, through our subsidiaries Cervecería CCU and CCU Argentina, we and Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. signed license and technical
assistance agreements providing us with the exclusive rights to produce, sell and distribute Heineken beer in Chile and Argentina commencing
June 18, 2003. On October 12, 2011, we signed with Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. the Amended and Restated versions of the Trademark License
Agreements, which provide us with the exclusive rights to produce, sell and distribute Heineken beer in Chile and Argentina, in force
as of January 1, 2011. These agreements have an initial term of ten years, and shall automatically be renewed each January 1 for a new
period of ten years, unless either party gives notice of its decision not to renew, in which case the agreements will be in force until
the last renewal period expires. Heineken is one of the leading brands in the premium segment in Chile, the beer segment with the highest
growth in recent years. In 2018, CCU launched Heineken 0.0 in Chile, the first country in Latin America to offer this non-alcoholic premium
brand.
In 2013
we launched the Sol brand (from Heineken) in the north of Chile, completing the national roll out of the brand in 2014. As of 2015, we
started to produce Sol beer brand in our facilities. We have an exclusive ten-year license, automatically renewable on a yearly basis,
for ten-year periods (rolling contract), unless notice of non-renewal is given.
During
January 2015, we launched Coors and Coors Light in Chile. The license agreement with Coors Brewing Company allows for the automatic renewal
under similar conditions (rolling contract), each year for a period of five years after the initial termination date, subject to the compliance
with the contract conditions.
[10]Includes
still wine, sparkling wine and fortified wine.
27
The following
table shows our proprietary parent beer brands, brands produced under license and brands imported under license for the Chilean Market:
Premium Mainstream Convenience
Royal Guard Cristal Dorada
Royal Guard Cer0,0°(2) Cristal Cer0,0°(2)
Heineken(1) Escudo
Heineken 0.0(2)(3) Morenita
Heineken Silver(3) Stones
Austral(1)(4) Andes
Polar Imperial(1) Bavaria
Kunstmann
D’olbek
Sol(1)
Coors(3)
Guayacán
Birra Moretti
Patagonia(1)
Mahina
Volcanes del Sur
(1) Produced under license.
(2) Non-alcoholic beer.
(3) Imported/Produced under license.
Our beer products
sold in Chile are bottled or packaged in returnable and non-returnable glass bottles, aluminum cans, non-returnable plastic bottles or
stainless-steel kegs at our main production facilities in the Chilean cities of Santiago, Temuco, Valdivia, and Punta Arenas.
During the last
three years we sold our beer products in Chile in the following containers:
Percentage of Total Beer Products Sold
Container 2023 2024 2025
Returnable (1) 16 % 16 % 14 %
Non-returnable (2) 81 % 82 % 83 %
Returnable kegs (3) 3 % 3 % 3 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
(1) Returnable beer containers include glass bottles of various sizes.
(2) Non-returnable beer containers include glass bottles and aluminum cans, both of assorted sizes.
(3) Returnable kegs are stainless steel containers, which have a capacity of 20, 30 and 50 liters.
The following
table sets forth our beer sales volume breakdown in Chile by category, for each of the last three years:
Category 2023 2024 2025
Premium 44 % 45 % 48 %
Mainstream 53 % 52 % 49 %
Convenience 3 % 3 % 3 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
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Our soft
drinks include proprietary brands, in addition to brands produced under license from PepsiCo, Inc., Schweppes Holdings Ltd. and Promarca
S.A., which are produced in four production plants (two located in Santiago, one in Temuco and one in Antofagasta).
Our subsidiary
Aguas CCU produces, commercializes and distributes mineral, purified and flavored waters. We have two proprietary mineral water brands,
Cachantun and Porvenir, which are bottled at their sources, located in Coinco (O’Higgins Region) and Casablanca (Valparaíso
Region). We also commercialize Nestlé Pura Vida and Manantial, brands of purified water, and Mas which is a brand of flavored water.
Aguas CCU also distributes the imported brand Perrier.
In 1994,
our subsidiary ECUSA and Cadbury Schweppes plc (“Cadbury Schweppes”), the latter through its subsidiaries CS Beverages Ltd.
and Canada Dry Corporation Ltd., entered into license agreements for all Cadbury Schweppes products. On December 11, 1998, The Coca-Cola
Company announced an agreement with Cadbury Schweppes to acquire certain of the latter’s international beverage brands, including
those licensed to ECUSA, and in August 1999 the agreement was reported to have been consummated. In September 2000, after more than a
year’s litigation, both in Chile (suits at civil courts and antitrust authorities) and England (arbitration under ICC rules), ECUSA
and The Coca-Cola Company reached an agreement superseding ECUSA’s previous license contracts with CS Beverages Ltd. and Canada
Dry Corporation Ltd. The new agreement, referred to as the “Bottler Contract”, was executed between ECUSA and Schweppes Holdings
Ltd., concerning the Crush and Canada Dry brands, and was approved by the Chilean antitrust commission, thus putting an end to the proceeding
regarding the Cadbury Schweppes brands issue and dismissing all complaints filed in consideration of the agreement. On January 15, 2009,
the parties executed an amendment to the Bottler Contract which, among others, extended its duration until December 31, 2018, renewable
for consecutive five-year periods, subject to compliance with the contract conditions. The contract was renewed until December 31, 2023
and further renewed for an additional five-year period, until December 31, 2028.
In August
2002, we began importing, selling and distributing Gatorade, a sports drink. In March 2006, a new franchise commitment letter and exclusive
bottling appointment (“Gatorade Contracts”) were executed between ECUSA and Stokely Van-Camp, Inc., a subsidiary of PepsiCo,
Inc., authorizing ECUSA to bottle, sell and distribute Gatorade products in Chile, for an initial term ending on March 31, 2010, automatically
renewable for successive two or three-year periods if certain conditions set forth in the Gatorade Contracts were met. In October 2013,
ECUSA and Stokely Van-Camp, Inc. entered into a Second Amendment to the Gatorade Contracts under which such Contracts were renewed for
a period ending in December 2018, subject to automatic renewal for an additional period equal to the term of the Shareholders Agreement
of Bebidas CCU-PepsiCo SpA (that is, 2043), upon satisfaction of certain conditions. Since said conditions were satisfied, the Gatorade
Contracts were automatically renewed in December 2018 as stated above. Since October 2006, we have been producing Gatorade locally.
In November
2007, ECUSA signed an exclusive bottling agreement with Pepsi Lipton International Limited, authorizing ECUSA to produce, sell and distribute
ready to drink tea beverages in Chile. This agreement was set to expire on March 31, 2020, however, on October 30, 2019, the parties extended
its term until December 31, 2030.
The license
agreement for juice products under the brand Watt’s, which granted us exclusive production rights, was first signed in June 1987
and originally had a 33-year term. In February 1999, a new license agreement was signed allowing us to produce new flavors and bottle
Watt’s juices in non-returnable packaging (wide mouth glass and plastic bottles). A new license agreement between us and Watt’s
S.A. was signed in July 2004. This new contract granted us a ten-year license renewable automatically for three consecutive periods of
three years if the conditions set forth in the contract were fulfilled at the date of renewal. In December 2006, we signed a joint venture
agreement with Watt’s S.A., under which, as of January 30, 2007, we participate in equal parts in Promarca S.A. This company owns
the brands Watt’s, Watt’s Ice Frut, Yogu Yogu, Shake a Shake and Frugo, among others in Chile. Promarca S.A. granted both
of its shareholders (New Ecusa S.A., a former subsidiary of ECUSA, which merged into ECUSA in 2019, and Watt’s Dos S.A., a subsidiary
of Watt’s), for an indefinite period, the exclusive licenses for the production and sale of the different product categories.
Since
December 2007, through our subsidiary Aguas CCU, we produce and sell the Nestlé Pura Vida brand in Chile under a license contract
of the same date, with an initial term of five years, renewable for successive periods of five years if certain conditions are met. Since
2012, under the Manantial brand we carry out the business of home and office delivery of purified water in bottles with the use of dispensers
(HOD).
29
In October
2013, CCU together with its subsidiary ECUSA executed a series of contracts and agreements with PepsiCo Inc. and affiliates, which allowed
them to expand their current relationship in the non-alcoholic beverages segment with specific focus on the carbonated soft drinks, as
well as extending long-term relationship duration. Pursuant to these agreements, which considered the creation of an affiliate, Bebidas
CCU-PepsiCo SpA, the licenses to produce, sell and distribute in Chile Pepsi, 7up and Mirinda (Pepsi brands) and Bilz, Pap, Kem and Nobis
(CCU brands) were granted to ECUSA until December 2043.
In line
with our multicategory business strategy, in November 2015, we entered the ready-to-mix category through a joint operation agreement with
Carozzi, for the production, commercialization, and distribution of instant powder drinks under the brands Sprim, Fructus, Vivo and Caricia
(currently only Vivo and Sprim are produced, commercialized and distributed). In December 2015 we started to distribute Red Bull in Chile.
In line with our non-alcoholic beverage innovation initiative, we continue to strengthen Pepsi Zero (which launched late 2016 in the Chilean
market), by increasing consumer interest through new packaging formats. From time to time, we and our partners introduce innovations and
brand extensions to our most relevant brands.
In November
2022, through a license with PepsiCo we added in Chile the brand Rockstar, an energy drink with natural ingredients, to strengthen our
position as a leader in the energy drink category. Rockstar is among the three best-selling energy brands in the world, with a presence
in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
In October
2025 ECUSA entered into a distribution agreement with Nestlé Chile S.A. for the acquisition, distribution, and commercialization
of RTD coffee drinks with milk and milkdrinks with coffee products under the brands Nescafé and Starbucks.
30
The following
table shows the non-alcoholic beverages parent brands produced and/or sold and distributed by us through our non-alcoholic subsidiary
ECUSA during 2025:
Brand Product Category Ownership Affiliation(1)
Bilz Soft Drink, Non-Cola Proprietary CCU
Pap Soft Drink, Non-Cola Proprietary CCU
Kem Soft Drink, Non-Cola Proprietary CCU
Kem Xtreme Soft Drink, Non-Cola Proprietary CCU
Nobis Soft Drink, Non-Cola Proprietary CCU
Canada Dry Ginger Ale Soft Drink, Non-Cola Licensed Schweppes
Canada Dry Agua Tónica Soft Drink, Non-Cola Licensed Schweppes
Canada Dry Limón Soda Soft Drink, Non-Cola Licensed Schweppes
Crush Soft Drink, Non-Cola Licensed Schweppes
Pepsi Soft Drink, Cola Licensed PepsiCo
Seven-Up Soft Drink, Non-Cola Licensed PepsiCo
H2OH! Soft Drink, Non-Cola Licensed PepsiCo
Lipton Ice Tea Ice Tea Licensed PepsiCo
Mirinda Soft Drink, Non-Cola Licensed PepsiCo
Gatorade Isotonic Licensed PepsiCo
Gatorlit Isotonic Licensed PepsiCo
Red Bull Energy Licensed Red Bull
Frugo Fruit-flavored beverage Licensed Promarca(1)
Watt’s Juice Licensed Promarca(1)
Watt’s Selección Juice Licensed Promarca(1)
Cachantun Mineral Water Proprietary Aguas CCU
Mas Flavored Water Proprietary Aguas CCU
Porvenir Mineral Water Proprietary Aguas CCU
Perrier Mineral Water Licensed Nestlé
Nestlé PuraVida Purified Water Licensed Nestlé & others
Manantial Purified Water Proprietary Manantial
Vivo Ready-to-mix Licensed Carozzi
Sprim Ready-to-mix Proprietary Bebidas Carozzi CCU
Rockstar Energy Licensed PepsiCo
Nescafé RTD Coffee drink with milk Licensed Nestlé Chile S.A.
Starbucks RTD milk drinks with coffee Licensed Nestlé Chile S.A.
(1) CCU indirectly owns 50% of Promarca S.A. and 50.1% of Aguas CCU. ECUSA owns 50% of Bebidas Carozzi CCU. Aguas CCU and ECUSA own 99.08% and 0.92% of Manantial, respectively.
During the last
three years, we sold our non-alcoholic beverage products in the following packaging formats:
Soft drinks Mineral, purified and flavored water
Container 2023 2024 2025 2023 2024 2025
Returnable(1) 9 % 10 % 10 % 22 % 22 % 21 %
Non-returnable(2) 89 % 88 % 88 % 78 % 78 % 79 %
“Post-Mix”(3) 2 % 2 % 2 % — — —
Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %
(1) Returnable soft drink containers include both glass and plastic bottles of assorted sizes. Returnable water containers include glass bottles of assorted sizes and returnable 20-liter jugs (HOD).
(2) Non-returnable soft drink containers include glass and plastic bottles, and aluminum cans of assorted sizes. Non-returnable water containers include plastic bottles and certain glass bottles of assorted sizes.
(3) Post-mix cylinders are sold specifically to on premise locations for fountain machines.
31
The following
table shows the sales mix of our non-alcoholic beverages by category during each of the last three years:
Category 2023 2024 2025
Carbonated soft drinks
Colas
Licensed 22 % 23 % 24 %
Non-colas
Proprietary 30 % 29 % 28 %
Licensed 19 % 19 % 19 %
Non-carbonated soft drinks
Juices
Licensed 19 % 19 % 19 %
Others(1)
Licensed 10 % 10 % 10 %
Soft drinks total 100 % 100 % 100 %
Mineral water
Proprietary 41 % 40 % 40 %
Purified water
Licensed 14 % 15 % 17 %
Flavored water
Proprietary 22 % 23 % 22 %
HOD 23 % 22 % 21 %
Total Bottled Water 100 % 100 % 100 %
(1) Includes functional drinks and teas.
After the
completion of the CPCh transaction with Control in 2005, we expanded our proprietary parent brand portfolio considerably, adding brands
such as Campanario in the pisco mainstream and cocktail categories, as well as Control Valle del Encanto, Mistral Nobel, Horcón
Quemado and Espíritu de los Andes in the ultra-premium pisco segment, Mistral and Tres Erres in the premium pisco segment and La
Serena in the convenience pisco segment. Furthermore, from time to time we introduce new brands of piscos and cocktails extensions and
flavors and we also expanded our portfolio with low Alcohol-By-Volume (ABV) brands such as Mistral Ice and Gin Kantal.
Our spirits
are produced at five plants which are located in regions of Atacama and Coquimbo in the north of Chile. The bottling process is done in
Ovalle’s plant bottling facility, and in Santiago through ECUSA and Cervecera CCU for products with no origin denomination requirements.
In the
rum market, our proprietary parent brands are Cabo Viejo and Sierra Morena. Also, CPCh distributes Pernod Ricard products, including Chivas
Regal, Ballantine’s, Havana Club and Absolut, among others.
In 2020,
CPCh started to produce their first gin with Chilean herbs, Kantal. In 2021, CPCh included 1888 cider brand, with an alcohol content of
5°, refreshing and with a sweet taste. In spirits, we expanded to the Fernet category, by the exclusive distribution of Fernet Branca,
a brand from Fratelli Branca. Fernet is a unique spirit made from the combination of herbs, roots and fruits macerated in alcohol.
In 2023,
CPCh entered into the frozen cocktail category with the brand La Pizka, to strengthen its premium segment portfolio. Also, in January
2024 we launched the vodka brand Puklaro.
32
The following
table shows our parent pisco, cocktail and low Alcohol-By-Volume (ABV) brands:
Pisco and Cocktails
Super Premium Mainstream Popular-priced Low ABV Cider
Horcón Quemado Campanario La Serena Mistral Ice 1888
Control Valle del Encanto Ruta Cocktail Iceberg
Espíritu de los Andes Sabor Andino Sour Sierra Morena Ice
La Pizka Kantal
3R Ice
In June
2017, CPCh added the Peruvian brand Barsol to its portfolio through the acquisition of 40% of Americas Distilling Investments LLC, which
is based in the United States and owns the Barsol brand and productive assets based in Perú.
Production
and Marketing: International Business Operating segment
Our International
Business Operating segment generated Net sales of CLP 586,484 million, CLP 850,118 million and CLP 780,296 million in 2023, 2024 and 2025,
respectively, representing 22.9%,29.3% and 26.8% of CCU’s consolidated Net sales in those years. The International Operating segment
includes our operations in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.
CCU, through
its subsidiary CCU Argentina, owns and operates breweries located in the cities of Salta, Santa Fe and Luján. Our main beer brands
include Schneider, Imperial, Palermo, Santa Fe, Salta, Bieckert and Córdoba and we hold exclusive license agreements for the production
and commercialization of Miller, Heineken, Amstel and Sol. As of May of 2018, CCU Argentina’s brand portfolio also includes Isenbeck,
Iguana and Norte, as well as the exclusive license agreements for the production and commercialization of Grolsch and Warsteiner, and
no longer includes the license agreement for Budweiser. (See ITEM 4: Information on the Company – A. History and Development of
the Company). CCU Argentina imports the Kunstmann and Blue Moon beer brands. Furthermore, CCU Argentina exports beer to several countries,
mainly under the brands Schneider, Imperial and Heineken.
On April
28, 2003, CCU Argentina and Heineken Brouwerijen B.V., a subsidiary of Heineken International B.V., signed license and technical assistance
agreements that provide us with the exclusive rights to produce, sell and distribute Heineken beer in Argentina commencing June 18, 2003.
On October 12, 2011, we and Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. signed the Amended and Restated versions of the Trademark License Agreements which
provide us with the exclusive rights to produce, sell and distribute Heineken beer in Argentina, in force as of January 1, 2011. These
agreements had an initial term of ten years, automatically renewable on January 1 of each year for a new period of ten years, unless any
party gives notice of its decision not to renew, in which case the agreements will be in force until the last renewal period expires.
Heineken beer is the second-largest brand in terms of volume in the premium segment in Argentina.
On November
28, 2012, CICSA and Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. entered into a Trademark License Agreement which granted us the exclusive rights to produce,
sell and distribute Heineken beer in Paraguay. This agreement had an initial term of ten years, automatically renewable for a period of
five years unless either party gave notice of its decision not to renew, in which case the agreements would be in force until the last
renewal period expires.
On July
15, 2015, CICSA, BBO and Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. signed the Ancillary Trademark License Agreement which provides us with the exclusive
rights to produce, sell and distribute Heineken beer in Bolivia, in force as of January 1, 2015. This agreement had an initial term of
ten years automatically renewable for five-year periods unless any party gives notice of its decision not to renew, in which case the
agreement will be in force until the last renewal period expires.
33
On April
20, 2018, Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. and Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. signed a Distribution Agreement which provides us with the exclusive
rights to sell and distribute Sol beer in Paraguay, effective as of January 1, 2018. This agreement had an initial term of five years
and automatically renews for subsequent three-year periods unless any party gives notice of its decision not to renew, in which case the
agreements will be in force until the last renewal period expires. On April 20, 2018, Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. and Heineken Brouwerijen
B.V. signed a Trademark License Agreement and a Distribution Agreement which provides us with the exclusive rights to produce, sell and
distribute Heineken beer in Paraguay. This agreement had an initial term of five years from May 1, 2018 and automatically renews for subsequent
three-year periods unless any party gives notice of its decision not to renew. Therefore, and as agreed on June 11, 2018, the Trademark
License Agreement entered on November 28, 2012, by CICSA and Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. was terminated with retroactive effects as of April
30, 2018 and, in its place, Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. and CICSA entered into a supply agreement which provided CICSA the non-exclusive
right to sell and supply Heineken Lager in the Paraguayan market to Bebidas del Paraguay S.A., for a period of five years beginning on
April 30, 2018. On September 6, 2023 Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. and Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. entered into an Amendment to the Trade Mark
License Agreement dated April 20, 2018 in order to include, the Heineken 0.0 and the Heineken Silver brands, with retroactive effect to
August 1, 2023, and a provision that, absent prior agreement in writing between the parties to this agreement, the products subject to
the agreement shall be purchased and acquired only from CICSA in Argentina and/or Cervecera CCU Chile Ltda.
On November 1, 2019, Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. and Amstel Brouwerijen B.V. signed the Distribution Agreement which provides us with the
exclusive rights to distribute Amstel beer in Paraguay, effective as of October 1, 2019. This agreement had an initial term of five years,
and automatically renews for subsequent three-year periods, unless any party gives notice of its decision not to renew, in which case
the agreement will be in force until the last renewal period expires. Additionally, as of January 2023 Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. is Heineken
Brouwerijen B.V. distributor of Schin beer in Paraguay.
On October
14, 2024, the subsidiaries of Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A., CCU Inversiones II SpA and CCU Inversiones S.A.,
shareholders of Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. and Distribuidora del Paraguay S.A., entered into binding and definitive association agreements
with Vierci Group, which holds the license of beverages and the distribution of snacks of PepsiCo in Paraguay, through its companies AV
S.A. and AJ S.A. Calidad Ante Todo. Consequently, Paraguay becomes the second country where the PepsiCo license is part of CCU's brand
portfolio, in addition to Chile.
In 2013,
we started exporting Heineken to Milotur, our subsidiary in Uruguay. On June 4, 2013, CICSA, Milotur and Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. signed
a trademark license agreement that provides us with the exclusive rights to produce, sell and distribute Heineken beer in Uruguay, in
force as of May 1, 2013. This agreement had an initial term of ten years, and automatically renews on January 1 of each year for a new
period of ten years, unless any party gives notice of its decision not to renew, in which case the agreements will be in force until the
last renewal period expires. In addition, we import Heineken, Schneider, Imperial, Miller, Amstel, Escudo Silver and Kunstmann beer for
distribution in Uruguay. Also, we participate in the mineral water business with the Nativa and Nix brands, in soft drinks with the Nix
brand, and in Watt’s branded juices and isotonic drinks with the Full Sport brand. We also distribute imported wines from VSPT (Misiones
de Rengo, Finca La Celia, and Eugenio Bustos). In 2024 we incorporated the cider category with 1888 and Real brands produced in Argentina.
In September
2014, CICSA began with the exclusive distribution in Argentina of imported Sol beer. The Sol beer brand is owned by Heineken. This licensing
agreement had an initial term of ten years in Argentina, automatically renewable on the same terms (rolling contract), each year for a
period of ten years, unless notice of non-renewal is given.
In October
2006, we signed a long-term contract with ICSA to brew, bottle and package beer in the former Ambev plant in Luján, near Buenos
Aires, that was purchased by ICSA. In January 2007, we began brewing our local brands in this plant, obtaining enough production capacity
to ensure future growth. In April 2008, we acquired ICSA, including the Luján plant and the brands Imperial, Bieckert and Palermo.
ICSA also had a brewing contract agreement with Ambev and, under such contract CICSA brewed beer for Ambev during the peak demand season
of 2008-2009.
34
The license
agreement between CCU Argentina and Anheuser-Busch LLC (See ITEM 4: Information on the Company – A. History and Development of
the Company), which provided CCU Argentina with the exclusive right to produce, package, commercialize, sell and distribute Budweiser
beer in Argentina and Uruguay, had an initial term of 20 years commencing in December 1995, which in March 2008 was extended to December
2025 (CCU and ABI agreed to the early termination of the license agreement for Uruguay in 2014). In 2010, the license agreement was modified
due to regulatory reasons under the context of the merger between Anheuser-Busch LLC and InBev. As a result, certain contractual restrictions
were released, and rights granted to Anheuser-Busch LLC waived, both in favor of CCU Argentina. On September 6, 2017, CCU and CCU Argentina
reached an agreement with ABI for the early termination of the Budweiser license in Argentina, in exchange for a portfolio of brands
(Isenbeck and Diosa, which were at the time owned by SAB Miller; and Báltica, Iguana, and Norte, which were owned by ABI), representing
similar volumes to Budweiser in Argentina, plus a series of payments over a three-year period. On April 27, 2018, after receiving approval
from Argentina’s antitrust regulators, CCU Argentina and ABI were legally obliged to close the transaction. As a result, on May
2, 2018, CCU Argentina and ABI (CCU Argentina and ABI, together identified as the “Parties”) executed a transaction (the
“Transaction”), which included, among other matters: (i) the early termination of the Budweiser brand license agreement in
Argentina, between the parties, and (ii) the transfer to CCU Argentina of the ownership of the Isenbeck, Diosa, Norte, Iguana and Báltica
brands, as well as the transfer of the licenses for Argentina of the international brands Warsteiner and Grolsch. In order to achieve
an orderly transition of the aforementioned brands, the Transaction provides that ABI will carry out the production and distribution
of Iguana, Norte and Báltica on behalf of CCU Argentina, for a period of up to three years.
In August
2016, CICSA signed a license and distribution agreement with Coors Brewing Company to manufacture, package, commercialize and distribute
the Miller brands in Argentina. We started to commercialize and distribute Miller Genuine Draft in April 2017, and to produce MGD in our
own facilities as of May 2017.
CCU Argentina
participates in the cider business, with the leading Real brand and other brands such as La Victoria and 1888. We also participate in
the liquor business, under the El Abuelo brand, in addition to importing other liquors from Chile and distributing the wine brands Eugenio
Bustos and La Celia. Since June 2019, we have added the Colon and Graffigna brands belonging to the Finca La Celia S.A. winery to our
wine portfolio (Argentine subsidiary of subsidiary VSPT).
In 2012,
in Argentina, the Company began the process of migrating to its new proprietary returnable bottle in place of the generic container currently
used throughout the industry. The decision to implement this important project was based primarily on the change introduced by the main
market player, who in 2011 started to replace the use of generic packaging by a proprietary container for one-liter returnable products.
The proprietary container’s use results in significant important changes to our logistics processes, including the adaptation of
the building structure of plants, the acquisition of specific equipment, the adaptation of production lines and agreements with glass
bottle and crate suppliers in order to achieve the timely supply of the inputs required for our new bottling process. The introduction
of these proprietary returnable bottles resulted in significant impacts on the industry’s value chain, with higher operating costs
associated with the recovery and classification of packaging that significantly affects the industry’s level of profitability and
return on capital employed (ROCE). This transition process required significant investments between 2012 and 2017, mainly in packaging,
equipment and infrastructure. To partially finance these investments, bank loans were obtained in local currency with long repayment periods,
mitigating the risk of exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations thereby minimizing the fluctuation risk. Due to the Transaction, CCU
Argentina and ABI made certain agreements, such as the agreement that CICSA and Quilmes, may each use, without any payment or restriction
whatsoever, the one litter returnable amber bottles, denominated as “proprietary”, of the other company (hereinafter the “Free
Use of Bottles”). For this purpose, the Parties agreed that the term for the Free Use of Bottles will be three years, with the option
to renew the term for three additional years in the event any of the Parties thereto has fulfilled certain investments in bottle requirements.
At the end of the three- or six-year term, each party will be permanently authorized to use the other party’s proprietary bottles
for up to 10% of its total bottled product (current authorization allows such use up to 0.5%). This agreement is favorable to CCU Argentina,
as it will allow the company to obtain operational efficiencies.
In 2011,
the Company started to export Schneider beer to Paraguay through Bebidas del Paraguay S.A., and in 2013 to Uruguay through Milotur. In
Paraguay we participate in the beer and non-alcoholic categories since our entrance to the market in 2013, with the introduction of new
brands and the acquisition of the craft beer brand Sajonia.
35
On July
15, 2015, CICSA, BBO and Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. signed the Ancillary Trademark License Agreement which provides us with the exclusive
rights to produce, sell and distribute Heineken beer in Bolivia, in force as of January 1, 2015. This agreement has an initial term of
ten years and will be automatically renewed for five-year periods unless any party gives notice of its decision not to renew, in which
case the agreement will be in force until the last renewal period expires.
In 2018,
the Company increased its stake from 34% to 51% in BBO. In Bolivia, CCU participates in the non-alcoholic beverages and beer business,
with two plants located in the cities of Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Warnes. It also participates in the non-alcoholic beverage industry
in the carbonated soft drinks segment through the brands Mendocina, Sinalco and Malta Real. The latter is a soft drink with sugar based
on malt, but without alcohol. BBO, with Mendocina and De La Sierra, also participates in the water category. In beers, it has the brands
Real, Capital, Cordillera, Uyuni, Amstel and Schneider. In addition, sell and distribute Heineken, imported beer brands.
On August
21, 2023, BBO and Amstel Brouwerijen B.V. signed the Brand License Agreement which provides BBO the exclusive rights to produce, sell
and distribute Amstel beer in Bolivia, with retroactive effect as of August 1, 2023. This agreement has an initial term of ten years and
will be automatically renewed for ten-year periods, unless any party gives notice of its decision not to renew, in which case the agreement
will be in force until the last renewal period expires.
Through
our subsidiary, Compañía Cervecerías Unidas Argentina S.A., we acquired 50.1% of the ownership of Aguas Danone de
Argentina S.A., which is involved in the business of mineral waters and flavored waters through its brands Villavicencio, Villa del Sur,
Levité, Ser, Brío, and an isotonic drink under the brand Full Sport. This acquisition, which currently consolidates operationally,
is in line with our strategy of being a regional multi-category beverage company.
At present
we produce and market premium, medium-priced and popular-priced beer brands in the International Business Operating segment, which includes
Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The following
table shows our proprietary parent beer brands, brands produced under license and brands imported under license for the Argentinean market:
Premium Mainstream Convenience
Heineken(1) Salta Córdoba
Sol(1) Santa Fe Palermo
Kunstmann(2) Schneider Isenbeck
Imperial Norte Iguana
Salta Cautiva Amstel(1)
Bieckert
Miller Genuine Draft
Grolsch(1)
Warsteiner(1)
Blue Moon(2)
(1) Licensed.
(2) Imported.
The following
table shows our proprietary parent beer, wine, cider, water and soft drinks brands, produced and/or imported under license for the market
in Uruguay:
Brand Product Category Ownership Affiliation
Heineken Beer Licensed(1) Heineken Brouwerijen B.V.
Amstel Beer Licensed(1) Heineken Brouwerijen B.V.
Schneider Beer Proprietary(1) CCU
Kunstmann Beer Licensed(1) CCU
Imperial Beer Proprietary(1) CCU
Escudo Silver Beer Proprietary(1) CCU
Miller Beer Licensed(1) Coors Brewing Company
Misiones de Rengo Wine Proprietary(1) CCU
Eugenio Bustos Wine Proprietary(1) CCU
Finca La Celia Wine Proprietary(1) CCU
Nix Soft Drink Proprietary CCU
Watt´s Juice Licensed(2) Promarca
Nativa Water Proprietary CCU
Nix Water Proprietary CCU
Full Sport Isotonic Drink Proprietary CCU
1888 Cider Proprietary(1) CCU
Real Cider Proprietary(1) CCU
(1) Imported (2) CCU indirectly owns 50% of Promarca.
36
The following
table shows our proprietary parent beer and non-alcoholic brands, produced and/or imported under license for the market in Bolivia:
Brand Product Category Affiliation
Heineken Beer Licensed(1) Heineken Brouwerijen B.V.
Amstel Beer Licensed(1) Amstel Brouwerijen B.V.
Cordillera Beer Proprietary CCU
Real Beer Proprietary CCU
Capital Beer Proprietary CCU
Uyuni Beer Proprietary CCU
Schneider Beer Proprietary CCU
Mendocina Soft Drink Proprietary CCU
Sinalco Soft Drink Licensed Sinalco
De la Sierra Water Proprietary CCU
Mendocina Water Proprietary CCU
Malta Real Malta based beverage Proprietary CCU
(1) Imported.
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The following
table shows our proprietary parent beer and soft drinks brands, produced and/or imported under license for the market in Paraguay:
Brand Product Category Ownership Affiliation
Heineken Beer Licensed(1) Heineken Brouwerijen B.V.
Amstel Beer Licensed(1) Heineken Brouwerijen B.V.
Paulaner Beer Licensed(1) Paulaner Brauerei GmbH & Co KG
Kunstmann Beer Licensed(1) CCU
Sajonia Beer Proprietary CCU
Sol Beer Licensed(1) Heineken Brouwerijen B.V.
Blue Moon Beer Licensed(1) Coors Brewing Company
Pulp Soft Drink Proprietary CCU
Schin Beer Licensed(1) Heineken Brouwerijen B.V.
Puro Sol Juice Proprietary CCU
Watt´s Juice Licensed(2) Promarca
La Fuente Mineral Water Proprietary CCU
Full Sport Isotonic Drink Proprietary(1) CCU
Pepsi Soft Drink Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Pepsi Light Soft Drink Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Pepsi Max Soft Drink Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Pepsi Blue Soft Drink Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Pepsi Black, Soft Drink Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Mirinda Soft Drink Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Paso de los Toros Soft Drink Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Aquafina Soft Drink Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
7up Soft Drink Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Split Soft Drink Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Gatorade Isotonic Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Rockstar Energy Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Lays Snacks(3) Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Doritos Snacks(3) Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Cheetos Snacks(3) Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Fandango Snacks(3) Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Quaker Snacks(3) Licensed PepsiCo del Paraguay S.R.L.
Redbull Energy Licensed(1) Red Bull Panamá S.A. y AJ S.A. Calidad Ante Todo
(1) Imported. (2) CCU indirectly owns 50% of Promarca. (3) For more information see Note 1 to our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 2025 included herein.
The following
table sets forth our beer sales volume in Argentina by category during each of the last three years, including exports to other countries:
Category Argentina
2023 2024 2025
Premium 40 % 37 % 39 %
Mainstream 46 % 48 % 45 %
Convenience 14 % 14 % 16 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
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Our beer products
are bottled or packaged in returnable and non-returnable glass bottles, aluminum cans and stainless steel kegs at our production facilities.
During the last three years, we sold our beer products in Argentina in the following packaging formats:
Container Percentage of Total Beer Sales Volume in Argentina
2023 2024 2025
Returnable (1) 41 % 48 % 45 %
Non-returnable (2) 58 % 51 % 54 %
Returnable kegs (3) 1 % 1 % 1 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
(1) Returnable beer containers include glass bottles of various sizes.
(2) Non-returnable beer containers include glass bottles and aluminum cans, both of assorted sizes.
(3) Returnable kegs refer to stainless steel containers in assorted sizes.
Production
and Marketing: Wine Operating segment
VSPT is
one of Chile’s largest producers and distributors of wine in terms of sales volume and Net sales. Our Wine Operating segment generated
Net sales of CLP 252,825 million, CLP 282,638 million and CLP 276,489 million in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively, or 9.9%, 9.7% and
9.5% of CCU’s consolidated Net sales in those years.
VSPT is
composed of six different wineries in Chile and two in Argentina. Its main vineyards are located in Molina, approximately 200 kilometers
south of Santiago. The VSPT estate in Molina is one of the largest single-site vineyards in Chile with an area of 1,051 hectares. As of
December 31, 2025, VSPT’s vineyards covered an aggregate of 3,986 hectares in Chile, distributed among 10 different plantations.
The winery also has 161 hectares under long-term leases. In Argentina, VSPT has another 698 planted hectares located in the province of
Mendoza and San Juan.
The following
table indicates the breakdown of Wine Operating segment’s volume in the domestic and export markets, including sales from FLC and
Graffigna in Argentina:
Chilean Argentinean
Year Domestic Volume Export Volume (1) Total Volume
(in millions of liters)
2023 71 8 56 135
2024 71 7 58 136
2025 66 7 59 132
(1) Includes Argentinean operations but excludes bulk sales.
Viña
San Pedro, Viña Tarapacá, Viña Leyda, Viña Santa Helena, Viña Misiones de Rengo, Viña Mar in
Chile and Finca La Celia and Graffigna in Argentina, produce and market premium, varietal and popular-priced wines.
39
The principal
brands are set forth below:
Brand Icon Premium Varietal Popular-Priced
Viña San Pedro Altaïr X
Sideral X
Cabo de Hornos X
Kankana del Elqui X
Tierras Moradas X
1865 Selected Vineyard X
1865 Selected Blend X
1865 Selected Collection X
Castillo de Molina X
Épica X
35 South X
Urmeneta X
Gato Negro X
Gato X
San Pedro Exportación X
9Lives X
Gran Reserva Tarapacá Etiqueta Dorada X
Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Tarapacá Etiqueta Azul X
Gran Reserva Tarapacá Etiqueta Negra X
Tarapacá Gran Reserva X
Gran Tarapacá X
Tarapacá Reserva X
Tarapacá Varietal X
León de Tarapacá X
Cosecha Tarapacá X
Viña Santa Helena Santa Helena Gran Reserva X
Santa Helena Reserva X
Santa Helena Varietal X
Santa Helena Gran Vino X
Santa Helena Dulce X
Alpaca Alpaca Premium X
Alpaca Varietal X
Viña Misiones de Rengo Misiones de Rengo Black X
Misiones de Rengo Cuvée X
Misiones de Rengo Reserva X
Misiones de Rengo Varietal X
Misiones de Rengo Espumante X
Misión X
Viña Mar de Casablanca Viña Mar de Casablanca X X
Viña Mar de Casablanca Espumante X
Viña Leyda Leyda Lot X
Leyda Reserva X
Leyda Single Vineyard X
Leyda Espumante X
La Celia La Celia Heritage X
La Celia Elite X
La Celia Reserva Especial X
La Celia Reserva X
La Consulta X
La Finca X
Elixio X
Eugenio Bustos X
Graffigna Graffigna X
Graffigna GR X
Colón X
Colón Selecto X
Global Brands Manquehuito X
Ritmo X
B-Liv X
Tierra Rica X
Donnaluna X
Ö-61 X
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The following
table presents our breakdown of total sales volume in thousands of liters by category of the Wine Operating segment during 2025:
Chilean Argentinean
Category Domestic Export (1) Total
(in thousands of liters)
Premium 8,934 1,048 6,734 16,716
Varietal 31,226 5,568 50,455 87,249
Popular-Priced 26,055 — 2,040 28,095
Bulk — — 1,110 1,110
Total 66,215 6,616 60,339 133,169
(1) Includes Argentinean operations and bulk wine.
Domestic
Market. Our Chilean domestic wine is packaged in glass bottles, cans, cartons, and bag-in-box containers at VSPT’s production
facilities in Molina and Isla de Maipo. The following chart shows our packaging mix for domestic wine sales volume for the last three
years:
Container Percentage of Total Domestic Wine Sales Volume in Chile
2023 2024 2025
Carton 45 % 46 % 48 %
Glass Bottles 54 % 53 % 51 %
Bag-in-Box — — 1 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
Export
Market. According to industry sources, exports of Chilean wine increased from approximately 311 million liters in 2001
to 693 million liters in 2025, at a compounded annual growth rate of 3.3%. During 2024 and 2025, Chilean wine exports reached 779 million
liters and 693 million liters, respectively. We believe that Chilean wine exports have grown steadily due to their comparatively low prices
and positive international image, as well as due to external factors, such as low wine production in the Northern Hemisphere in recent
years.
VSPT exported
56 million liters of wine in 2023, 59 million liters of wine in 2024 and 60 million liters of wine in 2025. During 2025, VSPT exported
wine to more than 80 countries worldwide. Exports accounted for net sales of CLP 116,184 million, CLP 133,519 million and CLP 133,614
million, in the last three years, respectively. In 2025, VSPT’s primary export markets included Japan, Brazil, Finland, Paraguay,
Colombia and Holland.
Most exported
wine is sold in glass bottles, except for a certain quantity of unbranded wine that is occasionally sold in bulk, as well as some wine
that is sold in bag-in-box containers.
The following
chart shows our packaging mix for export Chilean wine sales volume in the last three years:
Container Percentage of Total Export Wine Sales Volume from Chile
2023 2024 2025
Glass Bottles 89 % 88 % 89 %
Bulk — 1 % 1 %
Bag in box 11 % 11 % 10 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
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5) Raw Materials and other Supplies
The main
raw materials that we use are malt, sugar, fruit pulp, rice, corn syrup, grapes, wine, soft drink concentrates by license, hops, essences,
alcohol, water and packaging material, mainly aluminum cans, glass and PET bottles, among others. The sugar and fruit pulps that we use
are from local and international suppliers. We obtain our supply of malt mainly through long-term contracts with malt suppliers from several
countries. Rice is sourced mainly from international suppliers.
Water is
essential in our production. We obtain all of our water from wells located at our plants and/or from public utilities. The water is treated
at facilities located at our plants to remove impurities and to adjust the characteristics of the water before it is used in the production
process.
We own
two mineral water sources in Chile from which the Cachantun and Porvenir brand mineral water products are obtained. These water springs
are located in two areas near Santiago: Coinco and Casablanca, respectively. All of our mineral water products are bottled at their respective
sources and distributed throughout the country. Purified water is produced with water pumped from our wells and treated in the plant.
The most
relevant packaging materials are glass bottles, aluminum cans, PET bottles, caps, films, labels, corrugated cases and folding cartons.
Long-term contracts are signed with the main strategic suppliers.
Glass bottles
used in our packaging are purchased from the main local glass suppliers. During 2025, all of our aluminum cans were purchased from global
suppliers. We buy our labels, films and corrugated cartons mainly from local suppliers. The majority of our polyethylene terephthalate
(“PET”) resins are imported from Asia. Bottles and injected preforms are produced by our subsidiary Plasco in Chile and other
local suppliers in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.
We maintain
testing facilities at each of our plants and factories where raw materials are analyzed according to our standards. Additionally, the
samples are analyzed at various stages of production to ensure product quality. For example, samples of Heineken beer are periodically
sent to the Heineken facilities in The Netherlands to verify the quality of the product. Samples of Nestlé Pura Vida water are
sent to Perrier in France, and samples of Pepsi are analyzed by PepsiCo either at our plants or at the point of sale. (See ITEM 4: Information
on the Company – A. History and Development of the Company).
Prices
of our main raw materials used in the production are tied to the USD and price of commodities, and have fluctuated in Chilean and Argentine
peso terms due to general commodity price fluctuations in the international markets as well as to the variation of the Chilean and Argentine
peso against the USD. In addition, from time to time, prices of grapes and wine have varied depending on fluctuations in supply and demand
factors.
Standard
and customary commercial terms and conditions are widely used in all our contracts and supply agreements. Strategic alliances and supplier
diversification allow us to reduce dependency on a single supplier of raw and packaging materials.
VSPT’s
main raw and packaging materials are purchased and harvested grapes, purchased wine, glass bottles, carton containers, corks and cardboard
boxes. VSPT obtained approximately 49.2% of the grapes used for export wines from our own vineyards during 2025. Of the wine sold in the
domestic market, approximately 12.4% are grapes from our vineyards.
VSPT has
various alternative sources of supply, which can be used when they are favorable. VSPT’s glass bottles are mainly purchased from
local suppliers; however, when prices have been favorable, VSPT has purchased glass bottles from other local and international suppliers.
Carton containers are purchased from international suppliers and are assembled in VSPT’s own automated packing lines.
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6) Sales, Transportation and Distribution
Sales, Transportation and Distribution: Chile Operating segment
We distribute all of our products in Chile directly
to retail, supermarket and wholesale customers. This system enables us to maintain a high frequency of contact with our customers, obtain
more timely and accurate marketing-related information, and maintain good working relationships
with our retail customers.
After production,
bottling and packaging, our beverages are either stored at one of our production facilities or transported to a network of 29 owned or
leased distribution centers that are located throughout Chile. Products are generally shipped from the region of production to the closest
distribution center, allowing us to minimize our transportation and delivery costs.
Product
distribution is carried out by Transportes CCU throughout the country or by Comercial Patagona in the Magallanes Region.
Beginning
in October 2001, all of the distribution centers and transportation companies used to store and deliver all of our products are managed
on a consolidated basis by Transportes CCU.
Comercial
Patagona is a subsidiary of Cervecería Austral and, as of July 2002, is responsible for the sale and distribution of our products
and those of Cervecería Austral in the Magallanes Region. Comercial Patagona reaches 1,226 points of sale.
We distribute
our products throughout Chile to:
● off-premise retail: small and medium-sized retail outlets, which in turn sell our products to consumers for take-out consumption;
● on premise retail: retail establishments such as restaurants, hotels and bars for on-premises consumption;
● wholesalers;
● supermarket chains; and
● e-commerce
In the
last three years, the percentage mix of the above distribution channels for our products by sales volume in Chile was as follows:
Percentage of Total Products Sold
Distribution Channels 2023 2024 2025
Off-premise retail 40 % 40 % 40 %
On-premise retail 9 % 9 % 9 %
Wholesalers 20 % 20 % 19 %
Supermarkets 30 % 30 % 31 %
E-Commerce 1 % 1 % 1 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
In October
2005, we launched Comercial CCU, a subsidiary responsible for a single sales force dedicated to selling our beverages, in order to capture
synergies and focus on sales execution. Originally, this plan was piloted in rural areas and small cities in southern Chile. As of 2008,
the territory covered by Comercial CCU expanded to include the north of Chile from Arica to Copiapó/Vallenar, and the south, from
Curicó to Coyhaique except for the city of Concepción.
As of August
2016, following the restructuring in Chile that encompassed combining the route-to-market of the beer and non-alcoholic categories in
the whole country, Comercial CCU started to cover the beer and non-alcoholic category in the Metropolitan Region including the capital
Santiago, and several other large cities such as Viña del Mar, Rancagua, La Serena, and Concepción.
43
Together
with Comercial CCU, in all, we have a total sales force of 706 people, reaching 110,606 points of sale, related to the Chile Operating
segment.
In 2019,
as previously mentioned, we broadened our remote sales platforms through the launch of a modern e-commerce website in Chile, “La
Barra”, reaching 59,965 households with our online portfolio in 2025 (www.labarra.cl).
None of
our customers accounted for more than 2.0% of our total sales, with the exception of four large supermarket chains that represented in
the aggregate 24.9% of our total sales. None of these supermarket chains individually represented more than 12.0% of our total sales.
Our customers
make payment for our products either in cash or checks at the time of delivery or in accordance with one of several types of credit arrangements
that we offer. Sales through credit arrangements accounted for 38.5%, 40.7% and 41.2% of our sales in Chile during 2023, 2024 and 2025,
respectively. Losses on credit sales in Chile have not been significant.
Sales, Transportation and
Distribution: International Business Operating segment
In Argentina,
after production, bottling and packaging, our beer is either stored at the production facilities or transported to a network of seven
distribution centers leased or owned by us.
As of December
31, 2025, we have the capacity to reach 212,305 points of sale in Argentina with our direct and indirect sales force. Approximately 67%
of our beer in Argentina is sold and/or distributed through third-party sales and distribution chains. We have a direct sales force which
sells our beer products to customers within San Juan, Mendoza, Córdoba, Santa Fé and Rosario, in addition to 99 regional
and national supermarket chains throughout the country. None of our retail customers individually accounted for more than 4.8% of our
total beer sales.
In Argentina,
though most beer is sold through wholesalers and distributors, we also sell our products to retailers and supermarket chains. In the last
three years, the percentage mix of the above distribution channels for our beer products by sales volume in Argentina was as follows:
Argentina
Distribution Channels 2023 2024 2025
Wholesalers/distributors 65 % 74 % 78 %
Retailers 10 % 7 % 6 %
Supermarkets 25 % 19 % 16 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
In Uruguay
our commercial distribution system reaches the whole country and all supermarkets. While supermarkets are served directly through a logistics
operator, the rest of our clients are served through an indirect sales and distribution system.
In 2025,
we maintained approximately 18,300 points of sale, the percentage mix of the distribution channels for our beer and non-alcoholic products
by sales volume in Uruguay, in the last three years, was as follows:
Uruguay
Distribution Channels 2023 2024 2025
Indirect 78 % 80 % 80 %
Supermarkets 22 % 20 % 20 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
In Paraguay,
we have six distribution centers and a direct sales force. Together with a network of distributors and wholesalers, we reach a total of
35,587 points of sale, which allows us to have national coverage with our products.
44
In the last three
years, the percentage mix of the above distribution channels for our beer and non-alcoholic products by sales volume in Paraguay was as
follows:
Paraguay
Distribution Channels 2023 2024 2025
Indirect 6 % 7 % 5 %
Retailers 73 % 67 % 65 %
Supermarkets 21 % 26 % 30 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
In Bolivia, we
have three distribution centers and a direct sales force. We reach a total of 17,158 points of sale, which allows us to have national
coverage with our products. The percentage mix of the above distribution channels for our beer and non-alcoholic products by sales volume
in Bolivia was as follows:
Bolivia
Distribution Channels 2023 2024 2025
Off-premise retail 22 % 20 % 20 %
On-premise retail 7 % 6 % 6 %
Wholesalers 66 % 70 % 70 %
Supermarkets 5 % 4 % 4 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
Our International
Business segment customers make payments for our products either in cash or checks at the time of delivery or in accordance with one of
several types of credit arrangements that we offer. Argentina, sales through credit arrangements accounted for 93% of total sales during
2023, and 94% of total sales during 2024 and 2025. In Bolivia, sales through credit arrangements accounted for 26%, 30% and 34% of total
sales during 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. In Uruguay, sales through credit arrangements accounted for 100% of total sales during
2023, 2024 and 2025. In Paraguay, sales through credit arrangements accounted for 46%, 45% and 45%
of total sales during 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. Losses on sales through credit arrangements in the International Business segment
have not been significant.
45
Sales, Transportation and Distribution:
Wine Operating segment
Domestic.
After production, bottling, and packaging, wine is either stored at the production facilities or transported to one of our 29
distribution centers located throughout Chile. VSPT wines are distributed and sold in Chile through our sales and distribution network,
under the same system and payment terms as all our other products.
We distribute
our wine products throughout Chile in the territories not covered by Comercial CCU or Comercial Patagona, with our own sales force, to:
● off-premise retail: small and medium-sized retail outlets, which in turn sell wine to consumers for take-out consumption;
● on premise retail: retail establishments such as restaurants, hotels and bars for on-premises consumption;
● wholesalers;
● supermarket chains; and
● e-commerce.
For the last three years, the percentage
mix of the above distribution channels for our wine products by sales volume in Chile was as follows:
Distribution Channels 2023 2024 2025
Off-premise retail 33 % 32 % 34 %
On-premise retail 5 % 6 % 5 %
Wholesalers 27 % 27 % 30 %
Supermarkets 35 % 34 % 31 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
We reach
a total of 29,334 points of sale with our dedicated sales force of 80 people, together with the sales force of Comercial CCU.
Export.
VSPT has a presence in more than 80 countries. In order to increase its presence in the international market, VSPT has distribution agreements
with key distributors, such as Solera in Sweden and Norway; Hartwall in Finland; Asahi in Japan; Interfood and EPICE in Brazil; and with
Jumbo and Super Unie in The Netherlands. In Canada we have distribution agreements with LCBO, Phillipe
Dandurand wines and Mark Anthony Group, in Korea with Keumyang and Hitejinro, as well as agreements with other distributors.
As
part of our internationalization strategy, which seeks the growth and premiumization of our portfolio, VSPT Wine Group has commercial
offices in the US, UK and China.
Our Wine
Operating segment customers make payment for our products either in cash or checks at the time of delivery or in accordance with one of
several types of credit arrangements that we offer. Sales through credit arrangements accounted for 75.4%, 78.8% and 72.5% of total sales
during 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. Losses on credit sales have not been significant.
46
7) Seasonality
Seasonality: Chile Operating segment
As a result of the seasonality of our different
beverages, our sales and production volumes are normally at their lowest in the second and third calendar quarters and at their highest
in the first and fourth calendar quarters (i.e., those months corresponding to the holidays as well as the summer vacation season in Chile).
The following table shows our annual sales volume
of beer, non-alcoholic beverages and spirits in Chile, excluding exports, by quarter in the last three years:
Seasonality Chile Operating segment
Year Quarter Sales Volume % of Annual Sales Volume
(millions of liters)
2023 1st quarter 664.5 29 %
2nd quarter 481.8 21 %
3rd quarter 503.9 22 %
4th quarter 628.0 28 %
Total 2,278.1 100 %
2024 1st quarter 658.8 29 %
2nd quarter 441.4 19 %
3rd quarter 512.7 23 %
4th quarter 657.8 29 %
Total 2,270.7 100 %
2025 1st quarter 646.3 28 %
2nd quarter 455.7 20 %
3rd quarter 509.6 22 %
4th quarter 685.0 30 %
Total 2,296.6 100 %
47
Seasonality: International Business Operating
segment
As a result of the seasonality of the beverage industry
with respect to the categories in which we participate, our sales and production volumes are normally at their lowest in the second and
third calendar quarters and at their highest in the first and fourth quarters (i.e., the highest selling quarters correspond to the summer
and holiday seasons in the region).
The following table shows the annual sales volume
for the International Business operating segment, including exports, during each quarter in the last three years:
Seasonality International Business Operating segment
Year Quarter Sales Volume % of Annual Sales Volume
(millions of liters)
2023 1st quarter 244.1 27%
2nd quarter 173.2 19%
3rd quarter 218.7 24%
4th quarter 273.6 30%
Total 909.5 100%
2024 1st quarter 208.2 21%
2nd quarter 126.0 13%
3rd quarter[11] 251.7 26%
4th quarter[12] 392.1 40%
Total 978.0 100%
2025 1st quarter 338.2 28%
2nd quarter 225.6 19%
3rd quarter 265.0 22%
4th quarter 374.1 31%
Total 1,202.9 100%
48
Seasonality: Wine Operating segment
As a result of the seasonality of the beverage industry
with respect to the categories in which we participate, our sales and production volumes are normally at their lowest in the first and
fourth calendar quarters and at their highest in the second and third quarters (i.e., the highest selling quarters correspond to autumn
and winter in the Southern Hemisphere).
The following table shows the annual sales volume
for the Wine Operating segment during each quarter in the last three years:
Seasonality Wine Operating segment
Year Quarter Sales Volume % of Annual Sales Volume
(millions of liters)
2023 1st quarter 28.9 26 %
2nd quarter 35.6 32 %
3rd quarter 36.1 33 %
4th quarter 34.0 25 %
Total 134.7 100 %
2024 1st quarter 29.7 22 %
2nd quarter 35.6 26 %
3rd quarter 36.8 27 %
4th quarter 33.9 25 %
Total 136.1 100 %
2025 1st quarter 28.6 22 %
2nd quarter 37.1 28 %
3rd quarter 35.7 27 %
4th quarter 30.7 23 %
Total 132.1 100 %
[11]In
the 3rd quarter 2024 we started consolidating “Aguas de Origen” (ADO), our water business in Argentina. Isolating this consolidation,
the percentage of the quarter 3rd quarter volumes over annual sales volumes reached 22%.
[12]In
the 4th quarter 2024 we started consolidating our partnership with the Vierci Group (AV) in Paraguay. Isolating the consolidation of ADO
and AV, the percentage of the 4th quarter volumes over annual sales volumes reached 33%.
49
8) Geographical Markets
Chile is our
primary market in terms of sales, followed by Argentina. In 2023, 2024 and 2025, Chile represented 76%, 71% and 72%, respectively, of
CCU’s consolidated Net sales, while Argentina, in the same time periods, represented 19%, 24% and 22%, respectively.
Net Sales for the year
2023 2024 2025
(millions of CLP)
Chile(1) 1,960,180 2,048,580 2,103,379
Argentina(2) 479,816 696,006 630,541
Uruguay 34,750 36,577 37,151
Paraguay 70,348 92,498 114,069
Bolivia 20,462 30,906 24,485
Total 2,565,556 2,904,566 2,909,625
(1) Includes revenue from Net sales of the SSU and eliminations between geographical operations. In addition, includes Net sales of the Wine Operating segment.
(2) Includes revenue from Net sales from the subsidiaries Finca La Celia S.A. and Los Huemules S.R.L. which are presented in the Wine Operating segment and Chile Operating segment, respectively.
CCU’s net
sales are primarily generated in the domestic beverage market in the countries in which we have operations in Latin America. In 2023,
2024 and 2025, the domestic market represented 95%, 95% and 95%, respectively, of CCU’s consolidated net sales in each of these
years.
Net Sales for the year
2023 2024 2025
(millions of CLP)
Domestic 2,448,914 2,770,814 2,776,834
Exports 116,642 133,752 132,792
Total 2,565,556 2,904,566 2,909,625
CCU’s Wine Operating segment exports wine from
Chile and Argentina to over 80 countries around the world. The following table provides the
distribution of Wine Operating segment’s exports in 2025 by market:
Market Volume (1) Percentage of Total Exports
(thousands of liters)
Europe 16,292 28 %
Latin America 18,594 31 %
USA and Canada 4,834 8 %
Asia and Oceania 18,898 32 %
Others 611 1 %
Total 59,229 100 %
(1) Includes Argentinean operations, excludes bulk wine.
50
9) Competition
Competition: Chile Operating segment
The beer market in Chile is characterized by
a wide range of local and international beer brands. Our largest competitor in the beer business is Cervecería Chile S.A. (a subsidiary
of ABI). Cervecería Chile S.A.’s primary beer brands are Becker, Corona, Báltica, Stella Artois and Budweiser. Following
the renewal of a distribution agreement Cervecería Chile S.A. distributes its products through the distribution network of Embotelladora
Andina S.A. (“Embotelladora Andina”) and Coca-Cola Embonor S.A. (“Embonor”). Both companies are the main licensees
and bottlers of The Coca-Cola Company’s products in Chile. Another relevant player in the beer market in Chile is Viña Concha
y Toro S.A. (“Concha y Toro”), which imports Miller Genuine Draft and Estrella Damm from 2018. Concha y Toro also owns a majority
stake in Southern Brewing Company, the brewer of Kross beer. Finally, in the beer market, we also compete with a large number of craft
breweries, and distributors/importers of international beers.
In the non-alcoholic categories, our main competitors
are companies that produce, bottle and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in Chile under licenses from The Coca-Cola Company and its affiliates.
Thus, the two main players in the carbonated soft drinks beverage business in Chile are Embotelladora Andina and Embonor. Our main competitor
in the mineral, purified and flavored water business is Vital Aguas S.A., a subsidiary of Embotelladora Andina and Embonor. Our principal
competitor in the juice, iced tea and sport drinks business is also Vital Jugos S.A., a subsidiary of Embotelladora Andina and Embonor.
The spirits market in Chile is characterized
by a wide range of locally produced and imported products. Our largest competitor is Cooperativa Agrícola Pisquera Elqui Limitada
(“Capel”), which produces pisco locally and imports a number of spirits. As of mid-2019, Capel’s products began to be
distributed by Embotelladora Andina and Embonor. We also compete against Diageo Chile Limitada, which imports premium spirits such as
Johnnie Walker whiskey and Smirnoff vodka, among others. As of mid-2018, Diageo’s products started to be distributed by Embotelladora
Andina and Embonor. Finally, we also compete against several other smaller-size importers of international brands, as well as local producers
of pisco and other spirits.
The following chart shows estimates of our market
share in the Chile Operating segment for the last three years:
Year Chile Operating segment Volume market share (1)
2023 45.0 %
2024 44.9 %
2025 44.8 %
(1) Source: Nielsen. The calculation of the weighted average for past periods includes markets and industries that CCU entered at a later date. Excludes HOD and powder drinks. Also excludes energy drinks.
51
Competition: International Business Operating
segment
Our main competitors by region are as follows:
in Argentina, Cervecería y Maltería Quilmes S.A.I.C.A. y G., in Paraguay, Cervecería Paraguaya S.A., in Uruguay,
Fábricas Nacionales de Cerveza S.A., in Bolivia, Cervecería Boliviana Nacional S.A. and in Colombia, Bavaria & Cia S.C.A.,
all of them subsidiaries of ABI. As a result of their dominant position and large size in these countries, these companies benefit from
economies of scale in beer production and distribution.
In non-alcoholic beverages we compete mainly
with Paraguay Refrescos S.A., in Paraguay, with Montevideo Refrescos S.R.L. in Uruguay, and in Bolivia with Embotelladoras Bolivianas
Unidas, EMBOL S.A., all of them bottlers of The Coca-Cola Company's products.
In Argentina, in mineral waters, Cervecería
y Maltería Quilmes S.A.I.C.A. y G, markets Nestlé waters under its brands Eco de los Andes and Glaciar, Nestlé Pureza
Vital. Manaos participates in the market with the Villamanaos brand. Likewise, in mineral waters, The Coca-Cola Company in Argentina participates
through its Smart Water, Bonaqua and Benedictino brands; in flavored waters, it markets the Aquarius brand. Meanwhile, Manaos participates
with its brands Placer, Baggio and Baggio Fresh.
The following table shows estimates of the market
share of our International Business Operating segment including beer in Argentina; beer, carbonated soft drinks, juices and nectars and
mineral water in Uruguay; beer, carbonated soft drinks, juices and nectars and mineral water in Paraguay; and beer, malt and carbonated
soft drinks in Bolivia:
Year International Business Operating Segment Volume Market Share (1)
2023 17.1 %
2024 18.7 %
2025 19.7 %
(1) Sources: Ernst and Young for Argentina for beer and Nielsen for plain and flavored water, the latter only for 2024’s market share as plain and flavored water are only included in the 2024 figure. ID Retail for Uruguay, CCR for Paraguay, Ciesmori for CSDs and Nielsen for beer and malt, in Bolivia.
Competition: Wine Operating segment
The wine industry, both in the domestic and export
markets, is characterized by having a large number of participants with different business scales. Thus, VSPT’s biggest competitors
in the Chilean domestic market are Viña Concha y Toro S.A. and Viña Santa Rita S.A. (“Santa Rita”). Following
the execution of a distribution agreement in November 2021, Santa Rita distributes its products through the distribution network of Embotelladora
Andina and Embonor. Other relevant wineries in the Chilean domestic market are Bodegas y Viñedos Santa Carolina S.A., Viña
Undurraga S.A., Viña Cousiño Macul S.A. and Viña Montes S.A. At an international level, VSPT competes with Chilean
producers and with wine producers around the world.
The following table shows estimates of the volume
market share of our Wine Operating segment in Chile (excluding bulk wine sales) for the last three years:
Year Wine Operating segment Volume market share (1)
2023 20.0 %
2024 18.4 %
2025 19.4 %
(1) According to Nielsen figures for Chilean domestic wine and Viñas de Chile for export figures from Chile. The calculation of the weighted average for past periods includes markets and industries that CCU entered at a later date.
52
10) Government Regulation
CCU S.A., as an open stock corporation, is regulated
by the following regulations: Law No. 18,045 (the “Chilean Securities Market Act”); Law No. 18,046 on Corporations (the “Chilean
Corporations Act”) and its Regulations contained in Supreme Decree No. 702 of the Ministry of Finance of 2011 and the regulations
issued for this purpose by the CMF. In addition, CCU S.A., as an issuer of ADRs, which are currently traded on the NYSE, is subject, to
the extent applicable, to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the regulations issued by the SEC and
the NYSE.
CCU S.A., its subsidiaries and affiliated companies
must comply with the standards applicable specifically to the activities and businesses carried out by each of them, the main ones being
those indicated below for each segment:
Government Regulation in Chile
We are subject to the full range of governmental
regulation and supervision generally applicable to companies engaged in business in Chile. These regulations include labor laws, social
security laws, public health, consumer protection, environmental laws, securities laws, and antitrust laws. In addition, regulations exist
to ensure healthy and safe conditions in facilities for the production, bottling, and distribution of beverages. (For a more detailed
discussion of environmental laws, see ITEM 4: Information on the Company – E. Environmental Matters).
Regulations specifically concerning the production
and distribution of “alcoholic beverages” are contained in Chilean Law No. 18,455 and its Ordinance, which set the standards
for human consumption of such beverages, by minutely describing the different types of alcohol; the minimum requirements that must be
met by each class of beverage; raw materials and additives that may be used in their manufacture; their packaging and the information
that must be provided by their labels; and the procedure for their importation, among others.
Additional regulations concerning wine origin
denominations are contained in Decree No. 464 of the Ministry of Agriculture, published on May 26, 1995, as amended, which also laid out
the wine-growing regions and set rules regarding grape varieties, vintage year, labeling and selling requirements; and Law No. 20,089,
which creates the National Certification System for Organic Agricultural Products, which establishes the conditions for the commercialization
of products under the denomination of origin of organic or its equivalents. Additionally, Pisco origin denominations, also applicable
to us, are regulated by Decree No. 521 published on May 27, 2000 by the Ministry of Agriculture, and likewise contains provisions relating
to pisco producing regions, raw material standards, manufacturing procedures, packaging and labeling.
The large-scale production of alcoholic beverages
does not need any licenses or permits other than those required for the general run of commercial and industrial enterprises engaged in
the manufacture of consumer commodities.
According to Law No. 19,925 published in 2004,
which amended and restated the Act on Sale and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages (former Law No. 17,105), all establishments dealing
in alcoholic beverages, whether wholesale or retail, require a special municipal license, the cost of which is fixed by the law and varies
according to the nature of the outlet or point of sale (i.e. liquor store, tavern, restaurant, hotel, etc.). We are in possession of all
licenses necessary for our wholesale operations.
Law No. 19,925 also set opening and closing hours
for establishments dealing in alcoholic beverages; limited geographical areas for the sale of alcohol; reduced the maximum number of licenses
to be granted by zones and population; increased criminal liability for selling alcohol to persons under eighteen years of age; and tightened
the restrictions, imposing prison sentences and higher fines, among others, for violations formerly deemed lighter. One of its most important
innovations was to forbid the sale of alcohol to minors at all outlets, and not just for on-premises drinking (the only exception retained
is the case of children who are served meals when accompanied by their parents).
Alcoholic beverages are also subject to the
provisions of Law No. 21,363 published on August 6, 2021, and its Regulations contained in Decree No. 98 of the Ministry of the Interior
and Public Security of July 7, 2023, which established restrictions and warnings about the consumption of alcohol on labeling and promotional
materials; the obligation to inform the amount of calories on labels; time restriction for TV and radio advertising and prohibited promotional
activities or advertising of alcohol in relation to sport activities (which become effective either immediately or on a deferred basis,
as set forth in said Law). This law and regulations could affect our alcoholic beverages portfolio and certain marketing activities.
53
Alcoholic beverages are subject to control by
the Regional Ministerial Secretariat of Health (Seremi de Salud) and to the regulation of Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero
(“SAG”).
The production, bottling and marketing of non-alcoholic
beverages is subject to applicable sanitary legislation and regulations, particularly the Sanitary Code and the Food Ordinance (the Reglamento
Sanitario de los Alimentos).
Non-alcoholic beverages are also subject to the
provisions of the Food Sanitary Regulation, as set forth in Supreme Decree No. 977 of the Ministry of Health, published on May 13 1997,
and the Sanitary Code, regarding the sanitary conditions governing the production, import, processing, packaging, storage, distribution,
and sale of food products for human consumption.
Additionally, mineral waters are subject to the
provisions of the Mineral Water Regulation, contained in Supreme Decree No. 106 of the Ministry of Health, published on June 14, 1997,
which contains the obligation to obtain an establishment and operating authorization from the respective health service, as well as the
requirement to obtain a formal declaration as a 'healing source' (fuente curativa) prior to commercial exploitation. Mineral water
may only be bottled at its source of origin in accordance with the procedures and handling requirements set forth in said regulation.
Furthermore, trademarks intended to distinguish mineral waters and their bottled sub-products must share the same name as the source or
sources from which they originate, provided they are registered with the Ministry of Health. The Regulation also establishes provisions
relating to the packaging, labeling, and advertising of mineral waters and their sub-products.
Finally, the following regulation is applicable
to non-alcoholic beverages: (i) Law No. 20,606 on Nutritional Composition of Food and Advertising enacted in 2012, (ii) Decree No. 13
of the Ministry of Health which was published on June 26, 2015, amending the Food Ordinance referred to above, (iii) Law No. 20,869 on
Food Advertising, published on November 13, 2015, and Supreme Decree No. 24 of the Ministry of Health effective as of April 11, 2025,
and revokes Supreme Decree No. 1 of the of Ministry of Health published on December 11, 2017, which set certain restrictions on and requirements
for the advertising, labeling and marketing of foods that are qualified as “high” in calories or any of the defined critical
nutrients, such as sodium, sugar and saturated fats. In addition, (iv) Law No. 21,368 regulates the use of single-use plastics and plastic
bottles, including, among other obligations, that beverage producers must include a certain percentage of collected and recycled plastic
in Chile in the manufacturing of their disposable plastic bottles, establishing that by 2025 disposable plastic bottles in Chile must
contain at least 15% locally collected and recycled plastic, progressively increasing this percentage to 70% by 2060, and (v) Supreme
Decree No. 30, published on January 7, 2026, contains the regulation of Law No. 21,368 and sets, among others, the requirements and procedures
for the issuance of the certificates mandated by such Law.
Law No. 19,937, published in 2004, and fully
operative by February 2006, established the structure and powers for the current Sanitary Authority. The Ministry of Health’s Regional
Offices, which constitute the Sanitary Authorities, inspect plants on a regular basis, taking samples for analysis, directing the adoption
of new safety procedures and applying fines and other penalties for infringement of regulations.
The production and distribution of mineral water
is also subject to special regulation, Supreme Decree No. 106 of the Ministry of Health published on June 14, 1997, as amended, as well
as the Food Ordinance referred to above. Mineral water may only be bottled directly from sources, which have been designated for such
purpose by a Supreme Decree signed by the President of Chile. The competent Sanitary Authority provides a certification of the data necessary
to achieve such a designation. All of our facilities have received the required designation.
Independently of the products manufactured or
services provided in each plant or facility, the premises are also regularly inspected by the Sanitary Authorities, regarding sanitary
and environmental conditions, labor safety, and related matters.
There are currently no material legal or administrative
proceedings pending against us in Chile with respect to any regulatory matter. We believe that we comply in all material respects with
all applicable statutory and administrative regulations with respect to our businesses in Chile.
54
Government Regulation in Argentina
We are subject to the full range of governmental
regulation and supervision generally applicable to companies engaged in business in Argentina, including social security laws, public
health, consumer protection and environmental laws, securities laws and antitrust laws. As closely held corporations, our subsidiaries
in Argentina are principally governed by Law No. 19,550 on commercial companies included in the Civil and Commercial Code.
National Law No. 18,284 (the Argentine Food Code,
or the “Food Code”) regulates the manufacturing, packaging, import, export and marketing of food and beverages. The Food Code
provides specific standards with which manufacturing plants must comply and regulate the production of food and beverages mentioned in
the Food Code. The Food Code also specifies the different methods in which beer may be bottled as well as the information to be provided
on labels. National Law No. 24,788, enacted in March 1997, and its Regulatory Decree No. 688/2009 as amended and supplemented, regulates
the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages and its advertising and establishes the national minimum age requirements for the purchase
of alcoholic beverages. Under this Law, the sale of alcoholic beverages is not permitted to persons under 18 years of age, and the health
authorities of each province undertake the enforcement of the Food Code. In the City of Buenos Aires and many provinces of Argentina,
local law restricts the sale of alcoholic beverages, particularly between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8 a.m., and establishes harsh penalties
for infringement. Additionally, Law No. 5,708 also establishes further advertising requirements for the City of Buenos Aires.
Resolutions issued by the “Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura” regarding wine are also applicable. In the
province of Mendoza, the Resolutions issued by the “Departamento General de Irrigación” and Law No. 430 and
Law No. 322, regulate the administration and management of water. Finally, Law No. 27,642 set forth the requirement to include information
on advertising and front labels of soft drink containers containing excess sugars, sodium, saturated fat, total fat and calories.
There are currently no material legal or administrative
proceedings pending against us in Argentina with respect to any regulatory matter. We believe that we comply in all material respects
with all applicable statutory and administrative regulations with respect to our business in Argentina.
Government Regulation in Uruguay
In Uruguay, we are subject to the full range
of governmental regulation and supervision generally applicable to companies engaged in business in said country. As a closely held corporation,
our subsidiaries are principally governed by Law No. 16,060, which regulates all commercial companies.
Due to the specific nature of the activities
undertaken in Uruguay, the main applicable laws are Decree No. 315/94 containing the National Bromatological Regulations, Code of Children
and Adolescents regulating aspects related to sale and advertising of alcoholic beverages, Law No. 17,849 and its Regulatory Decree No.
260/07 regulating Integrated Packaging Management System, Mercosur Technical Regulations for labeling of packaged food, Law No. 18,159
regulates the promotion and defense of competition, Law No. 19,855 regulating problematic consumption of alcoholic beverages and its Regulatory
Decree No. 63/2020, Decree No. 272/18, effective as of March 1, 2020, with respect to food labeling and its Regulatory Decree No. 63/2020,
Law No. 19,829 on Integral Solid Waste Management, and Resolutions No. 271/021 and No. 1391/024 regarding minimum targets of recovery
and valorization of packaging.
There are currently no material legal or administrative
proceedings pending against us in Uruguay with respect to any regulatory matter. We believe that we comply in all material respects with
all applicable statutory and administrative regulations with respect to our business in Uruguay.
Government Regulation in Paraguay
In Paraguay, Distribuidora del Paraguay S.A.,
AV S.A., Bebidas del Paraguay S.A. and Sajonia Brewing Company S.A. are governed by the laws of the Republic of Paraguay, in particular:
Law No. 1,034/83 of Merchants, and articles 1,048 to 1,159 of Law No. 1,183/85 Civil Code and its subsequent amendments, Law No. 388/94
establishes provisions on incorporation, capital stock and powers of the assembly with respect to corporations and its subsequent amendments,
Law No. 3,228/07 amends article 5 of Law No. 388/94, which amends article 1,051 of Law No. 1,183/85 Civil Code; Law No. 5,895/17 which
establishes transparency rules in the corporate governance of companies incorporated by shares and Law No. 6,399 amending Law No. 5,895/17,
Decree No. 9,043/17 and its subsequent amendments, which regulates Law No. 5,895/17 and establishes fines in case of non-compliance,
Law No. 6,446/19 which creates the Administrative Registry of Persons and Legal Structures and the Administrative Registry of Final Beneficiaries
of Paraguay, Decree No. 3,241/20 which regulates Law No. 6,446/2019 referred to above, Law No. 294/1993 on Environmental Impact Assessment,
and Law No. 836/80 Sanitary Code.
55
Due to the specific nature of its corporate purposes,
Bebidas del Paraguay S.A., with respect to the import, marketing and advertising of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, Sajonia Brewing
Company S.A. with respect to the production, marketing and advertising of alcoholic beverages, Distribuidora del Paraguay S.A. and AV
S.A. with respect to the marketing and advertising of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, are subject to the provisions of Law No.
1,333/98 on Advertising and Promotion of Tobacco and Alcoholic Beverages, Law No. 1,334/98 on Consumer and User Protection, as amended,
Law No. 1,642/00 prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors and prohibiting their consumption on public roads, and Executive
Decree No. 1,635/99 and Resolution of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare No. 643/12 regulating aspects related to the registration
of food products and amendments thereto, among others.
There are currently no material legal or administrative
proceedings pending against us in Paraguay with respect to any regulatory matter. We believe that we comply in all material respects with
all applicable statutory and administrative regulations with respect to our business in Paraguay.
Government Regulation in Bolivia
BBO is a closely held corporation governed by
the laws of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, in particular by Chapter V (Corporations) of Decree Law No. 14,379 Commercial Code, which
establishes provisions on the constitution of companies, rights and obligations of the shareholders, the administration and control bodies
of the company, as well as the classification of the shares, issuance rules and records.
In addition, in view of the corporate purpose
of BBO, regarding the production, import, export and marketing of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, the following rules are applicable:
Law No. 1,990 or General Customs Law and Supreme Decrees No. 27,947 and No. 572 amending Supreme Decree No. 25,870 that contains the regulation
of the General Customs Law, both regulate the regime of imports and exports, Law No. 2,061 of the National Service of Agricultural Health
and Food Safety (“SENASAG”), regulating entities responsible for administering the agricultural health and food safety regime
in the country, Resolution No. 42/2023 that contains the regulation for the classification and registration of food, issued by SENASAG,
Law No. 259 on control of sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
There are currently no material legal or administrative
proceedings pending against us in Bolivia with respect to any regulatory matter. We believe that we comply in all material respects with
all applicable statutory and administrative regulations with respect to our business in Bolivia.
Government Regulation in Colombia
CCC, ZF CC and Artesanos de Cervezas S.A.S. are
simplified stock corporations governed by the laws of the Republic of Colombia, in particular, with respect to their corporate existence
and operation, Law No. 1,258 of 2008, Law No. 222 of 1995 and the Colombian Commercial Code.
Furthermore, ZF CC must comply with
the free zone regime, including Law No. 1,004 of 2005, Decree No. 2,147 of 2016 amended by Decree No. 278 of 2021, Decree No. 1,165 of
2019 amended by Decree No. 659 of 2024, Resolution No. 46 of 2019 amended by Resolutions No. 242, 235, 223, 10,061, 9,021 and 192 of 2025,
as well as by Decree No. 920 of 2023 and the rules that modify or regulate it, and its corresponding resolution of declaration of
existence issued by the Customs Authority as well as its general development master plan approved by the Ministry of Commerce,
Industry and Tourism. In tax matters, article 240-1 of the Tax Statute, as amended by Law No. 1,819 of 2016, applies to this company,
provided that they have been qualified as Industrial Users prior to December 13, 2022; otherwise, the provisions of article 11 of Law
No. 2,277 of 2022, and other rules that regulate it, must also be complied with. In tax matters, article 240-1 of the Tax Statute
applies to this company, modified by Law No. 2,277 of 2022, related to the income tax rates applicable to free trade zone commercial users.
Additionally, paragraph 6 of article 240 of the Tax Statute must be applied in relation to the Minimum Tax.
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In addition, the specific rules relating to the
activities and business in alcoholic beverages that each company carries out are applicable to these companies, the main ones being: Law
No. 9 of 1979, which establishes the conditions that raw materials for the production of alcoholic beverages must satisfy, Law No. 124
of 1994, which regulates the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages and their advertising and establishes that the minimum age for
the purchase of alcoholic beverages at the national level is 18 years of age, Decree No. 1,686 of 2012 and Decree No. 1,083 of 2025, which
sets forth the sanitary requirements for the production, packaging, advertising, transportation, import and marketing of alcoholic beverages
destined for human consumption, Decree No. 780 of 2016, which establishes, in the field of alcoholic beverages, the obligation to emphasize
in advertising and related legends the prohibition of the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors, as well as the specifications that must
be included in their packaging and labels and Circular No. 486 of 2016, establishing the health requirements associated with the manufacture,
processing, packaging, storage, distribution, marketing, sale, import or export of alcoholic beverages, Law No. 223 of 1995 and Law No.
1,816 of 2016 regulating local taxes applicable to the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages (including beer) in the Colombian
territory, article 475 of the Tax Statute which determines the taxable base of the Sales Tax (VAT), Decree No. 1,366 of 2020, which establishes
provisions for granting sanitary registration of alcoholic beverages manufactured and marketed by micro-entrepreneurs and certification
in good manufacturing practices, Decree No. 162 of 2021, amending Decree No. 1,686 of 2012, Joint Circular No. 11 of 2017, which addresses
certificates in good manufacturing practices for alcoholic beverages, and Decree No. 120 of 2010, which adopts measures in relation to
labeling and advertising.
Likewise, to non-alcoholic beverages the main applicable
norms are: (i) Resolution No. 2,674 of 2013, which establishes the sanitary requirements for their manufacturing, processing, preparation,
packaging, storage, transportation, distribution and marketing, (ii) Resolution No. 719 of 2015, which establishes the food and beverages
classification for human consumption according to the risk in public health, (iii) Resolution No. 5,109 of 2005, modified by Resolution
No. 557 of 2022, which establishes the technical regulation on labeling or labeling requirements, (iv) Resolution No. 810 of 2021, which
establishes the technical regulation on nutritional and front labeling requirements, and (v) Resolution No. 2,492 of 2022, which amends
the aforementioned Resolution No. 810 of 2021.
There are currently no material legal or administrative
proceedings pending against us in Colombia with respect to any regulatory matter. We believe that we comply in all material respects with
all applicable statutory and administrative regulations with respect to our businesses in Colombia.
Government Regulation in United Kingdom
Finally, VSPT UK Ltd., as a public limited company
incorporated in the United Kingdom, is governed by the Companies Act 2006 and Food Safety Act 1990, among others.
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C. Organizational Structure
Ownership Structure
as of March 31, 2026
We are
controlled by IRSA, which as of March 31, 2026, and as of the date of this annual report, directly and indirectly owned 65.87% of our
shares of common stock.
IRSA, since
1986, was a joint venture between Quiñenco and the Schörghuber Group through its wholly owned subsidiary FHI of the Netherlands.
In April 2003, the Schörghuber Group sold FHI to Heineken Americas B.V., a subsidiary of Heineken International B.V. FHI and Heineken
International B.V. formed Heineken Chile Ltda., through which 50% of IRSA shares were held. On December 30, 2003, FHI merged into Heineken
Americas B.V. In 2022, Heineken Chile Ltda. became Heineken Chile SpA, a Chilean corporation (sociedad por acciones) whose current
controller is Heineken International B.V., a Dutch limited liability company, subsidiary of Heineken N.V. The majority shareholder of
Heineken N.V. is the Dutch company Heineken Holding N.V., a Dutch subsidiary of L'Arche Green N.V., which is a subsidiary of L'Arche Holdings
B.V., the latter ultimately controlled by Mrs. C.L. de Carvalho-Heineken. Currently, Quiñenco and Heineken Chile SpA, are the only
shareholders of IRSA, each with a 50% equity interest.
Quiñenco
is the holding company of one of the largest and most diversified business conglomerates in Chile, with investments in various sectors
of the Chilean economy. Apart from CCU, Quiñenco’s principal holdings include Banco de Chile (a leading financial institution
in Chile), Invexans S.A. (the largest shareholder of the French cable producer Nexans S.A.), Empresa Nacional de Energía Enex S.A.
(the second-largest fuel distributor in Chile), Compañía Sud Americana de Vapores S.A. (main shareholder of Hapag-Lloyd
A.G., one of the largest container ship liners worldwide), and Sociedad Matriz SAAM S.A. (one of the main port operators in South America
and the leading tugboat operator in America).
Heineken,
the Dutch brewer, is the second largest brewery in the world which, according to its 2025 annual report, markets and sells more than
340 beer and cider brands in 190 countries, and it has almost 88,000 direct employees worldwide. Heineken group’s beer volume was
234 million hectoliters during 2025.
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The following
table provides our significant subsidiaries as of December 2025:
Subsidiaries Country Total Ownership Interest
Cervecería CCU Chile 100.00 %
CCU Argentina Argentina 99.99 %
ECUSA Chile 99.98 %
VSPT(1) Chile 85.15 %
(1) Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A. indirectly, through CCU Inversiones S.A., has an 85.17% controlling interest in VSPT.
D. Property, Plants and Equipment
Set forth
below is information concerning our production facilities as of December 31, 2025, all of which are owned and operated by us or our subsidiaries.
For the
Chile Operating segment, we had an aggregated Supply Capacity per month of 316.2 million liters, including Manantial, with a Utilized
Capacity during peak month of 81.8%. Utilized Capacity During Peak Month is equal to production output as a percentage of Nominal Installed
Production Capacity during our peak month for each respective plant. The annual Nominal Installed Capacity for this segment is 34.8 million
hectoliters. Our Chile Operating segment total facilities size is 1,141,703 square meters (total built area including warehousing logistics
activities related to the production process). Supply Capacity per month is defined as nominal installed production capacity for the current
product/packaging mix during 25 days per month and 3 shifts per day. The calculated slack (spare) capacity does not necessarily indicate
real slack capacity. The real production capacity is less than the nominal installed production capacity as adjustments are required for
real machinery performance, packaging mix, availability of raw materials and bottles, seasonality within the months and other factors.
As a result, we believe that the peak monthly capacity utilization rates shown above understate real capacity utilization and that slack
capacity is overstated.
Set forth below is a list of
our 16 principal production facilities:
Chile Operating segment
Location Type of Plant
Santiago- Quilicura Beer
Valdivia Beer
Temuco Mixed
Antofagasta Non-alcoholic beverages
Coinco Non-alcoholic beverages
Santiago - Renca Modelo Non-alcoholic beverages
Santiago - Embotelladora CCU Renca Non-alcoholic beverages
Casablanca Non-alcoholic beverages
Coronel (Manantial) Non-alcoholic beverages (HOD)
Santiago - Quilicura (Manantial) Non-alcoholic beverages (HOD)
Puerto Montt (Manantial) Non-alcoholic beverages (HOD)
Elqui Spirits
Sotaquí Spirits
Monte Patria Spirits
Salamanca Spirits
Ovalle Spirits
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For the
International Business Operating segment, we had an aggregated Supply Capacity per month of 202.2 million liters with a Utilized Capacity
during peak month of 68.1%. The annual Nominal Installed Capacity for the International business is 22.2 million hectoliters.
Our International
Business Operating segment total facilities size is 500,437 square meters (total built area including warehousing logistics activities).
Set forth
below is a list of our 13 principal production facilities:
International Business Operating segment
Location Country Type of Plant
Buenos Aires (Luján) Argentina Beer
Santa Fe Argentina Beer
Salta Argentina Beer
Sajonia Paraguay Beer
Warnes Bolivia Mixed
Pan de Azúcar Uruguay Non-alcoholic beverages
San Antonio I Paraguay Non-alcoholic beverages
San Antonio II Paraguay Non-alcoholic beverages
Santa Cruz de la Sierra Bolivia Non-alcoholic beverages
Allen Argentina Cider
Ciudadela Argentina Cider
Mendoza Argentina Water(1)
Buenos Aires Argentina Water(1)
(1) Compañía Cervecerías
Unidas Argentina S.A. holds a 50.1% ownership interest in Aguas de Origen S.A.
For the Wine
Operating segment, we had an aggregated Nominal Filling Capacity of 88,445 liters per hour and a Storage Capacity in Tanks and Barrels
of 126,6 million liters. The total facilities size is 153,706 square meters.
Set forth below
is a list of our five principal production and two storage facilities:
Wine Operating segment
Location Country Type of Plant
Molina Chile Wine Production
Totihue Chile Wine Production
Isla de Maipo Chile Wine Production
Finca La Celia Argentina Wine Production
San Juan Argentina Wine Production
Lontué Chile Wine Storage
Viña Mar Chile Wine Storage
Our two principal
production facilities through joint ventures are set forth below (See ITEM 4: Information on the Company – B. Business Overview
– Overview – Joint Ventures and Associated Companies):
60
Joint Ventures
Location Country Type of Plant
Punta Arenas Chile Beer(1)
Sesquillé Colombia Beer(2)
(1) Production in the Punta Arenas facility is under licensing agreements and, accordingly, we do not consolidate this facility.
(2) In February 2019, CCU through its joint venture with Grupo Postobón, started beer production at the new three million hectoliter plant. Accordingly, we do not consolidate this facility.
In addition to
our production plants listed above, we have 36 owned and 18 leased distribution centers in the countries in which we operate:
Own Distribution Centers Country Leased Distribution Centers Country
Arica Chile Illapel Chile
Iquique Chile La Vara Chile
Calama Chile San Antonio Chile
Antofagasta Chile Castro Chile
Copiapó Chile Liberación Paraguay
Coquimbo Chile Katueté Paraguay
Ovalle Chile Coronel Oviedo I Paraguay
Llay Llay Chile Coronel Oviedo II Paraguay
Curauma Chile Ciudad del Este Paraguay
Santiago Sur Chile Encarnación Paraguay
Santiago Quilicura Chile San Ignacio Misiones Paraguay
Santiago Modelo Chile Cochabamba Bolivia
Santiago Embotelladora CCU Renca Chile Rosario Argentina
Rancagua Chile Cordoba Argentina
Talca Chile San Juan Argentina
Chillán Chile Mendoza Argentina
Talcahuano Chile Alianza Argentina
Los Angeles Chile Sauce Viejo Argentina
Valdivia Chile
Osorno Chile
Puerto Montt Chile
Coyhaique Chile
Temuco Chile
Villarrica Chile
Punta Arenas Chile
Salta Argentina
Santa Fe Argentina
Pilar Argentina
Luján Argentina
Cuidadela Argentina
Pan de Azúcar Uruguay
Encarnación Paraguay
San Antonio Paraguay
Ciudad del Este Paraguay
La Paz Bolivia
Santa Cruz de la Sierra Bolivia
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E. Environmental Matters
Our operations
are subject to both national and local regulations in Chile in relation to environmental protection. Regarding human health, the fundamental
law in Chile is the Health Code, which establishes minimum health standards and regulates air and water quality, as well as sanitary landfills.
The local Sanitary Authority is the governmental entity in charge of the enforcement of these rules and has the authority to impose fines.
Additionally, the Ministry of the Environment is in charge of the design and application of environmental policies, plans and programs
for the protection of the environment and the Superintendence of the Environment has exclusive authority to execute, organize and coordinate
the oversight of the various environmental management instruments, including environmental qualification resolutions. In addition, the
Superintendence of the Environment is responsible for overseeing compliance with the measures of any environmental prevention and/or decontamination
plans, the content of the environmental quality standards and emission standards, management plans, when applicable, and all other environmental
instruments established by law.
The environmental
framework is governed by Law No. 19,300, enacted in 1994, as amended, which includes not only environmental protection rules but also
rules concerning the preservation of natural resources. Among other matters, it created the environmental impact assessment system,
which requires any project or major amendment of an industrial activity that may affect the environment to evaluate its possible environmental
impact, in order to fulfill related regulations and to implement mitigation, compensation and restoration measures.
Law No.
19,300 also created a mechanism that establishes sources emission limits and environmental quality standards developed and detailed by
specific regulations. In this sense, there is a special regulation for wastewater discharges into sewage systems, and another regulation
for wastewater discharges into superficial water bodies. We comply with this law and related regulations in all material respects.
On this
topic, on June 1, 2016 Law No. 20,920 was enacted and established a framework for waste management and extended producer responsibility,
and stimulation of recycling (“REP Law”), with the objective of lowering the generation of waste of priority products as determined
by the bill and fostering recycling of the waste.
On November
30, 2017, the Regulations on Procedures of the REP Law were published. During 2019, regulations were issued that established the collection,
valorization and other associated obligations for tires, which were finally published in January 2021, and on March 16, 2021, the collection,
valorization and other associated obligations for packaging materials were published.
Additionally,
on August 13, 2021 Law No. 21,368 was published, which regulates single-use plastic products and plastic bottles, and strengthens returnability.
This Law requires (i) that disposable plastic bottles that are commercialized must be manufactured containing a percentage of plastic
that has been collected and recycled within the country in the proportions to be established by means of a regulation to be issued within
18 months as of the date of publication of the law, with a minimum of 15% in 2025; (ii) retail businesses and supermarkets (including
e-commerce and delivery applications) to have returnable plastic bottles for beverages (excluding alcoholic and dairy products), effective
for supermarkets 6 months as of the date of publication of the law and two years for the rest of the retailers; and (iii) prohibits establishments
that sell food from using any kind of non-recyclable single-use containers, on premise and for deliveries, with effective dates depending
on the establishment and the kind of plastic used.
In order
to anticipate full compliance with this regulation, in May 2024 CCU inaugurated a Recycled Resin Plant called "CirCCUlar", which
since October 2024 is transforming recycled plastic collected in Chile into resin to be used in our bottles. Given the restrictions established
in the Law and in the future regulation, in relation to obtaining this plastic, supply chains will have to be established based on the
company's own material (wastes) and on obtaining it from third parties.
On June
13, 2022 Law No. 21,455, Climate Change Framework Law, was published. This law aims to establish principles, governance, management instruments
and adequate financing mechanisms, to allow for an economic development low in greenhouse gas emissions, reduce vulnerability, establish
a carbon neutral goal by law, and increase resilience, all to guarantee the compliance of climate change international commitments made
by Chile.
62
In relation
to environmental regulations, Law No. 21,595 of August 2023, "Economic Crimes Law", incorporated a new chapter to the Chilean
Criminal Code called "Attempts against the Environment", which began to govern on September 2024,establishing specific criminal
offenses in environmental matters framed, among others, in the release of polluting substances into the air, water, soil, illegal extraction
of water and serious environmental damage, false and incomplete reporting that conceals or mitigates environmental consequences, as well
as crimes associated with sectoral issues outside the competence of the Superintendence of the Environment. In this regard, the Company
complies in all material respects with local regulations and continuously reviews its relevant policies, processes and protocols.
With regard
to water rights, the 2022 reform of the Water Code introduced a system of temporary water use rights with penalties for non-use, and it
gave greater authority to the General Water Directorate in the event of water scarcity. It also established more stringent criteria for
the environmental assessment of projects with water components, taking into account the effects of climate change.
In September
2023, the Biodiversity Law was enacted in Chile, creating the Biodiversity Service, which is responsible for the conservation of the country's
natural heritage. Its implementation will depend on regulations that are expected to be enacted in the coming years.
In 2023,
we announced an update to our sustainability model, shifting our vision towards a Sustainability Strategy that we call "Juntos por
un Mejor Vivir" which is currently in place and encompasses 2 Pillars: “Our Planet” and “Our People”; 8 work
agendas: “Water balance”, “Circular economy”, “Climate action”, and “Responsible supply chain”
within the Our Planet pillar, and “SER CCU Experience”, “Passion for the consumer”, “Enjoy responsibly”
and “Country progress” within the Our People pillar. Also, this strategy has 20 goals by 2030 and several annual initiatives.
During
2024, this strategy had its first year of implementation. Among the main achievements in 2024 are: a 64.1% reduction (compared to the
2010 baseline) in greenhouse gas emissions per liter produced (the 2030 goal is 50%); a 48.6% decrease in water consumption (compared
to the 2010 baseline) per liter produced (the 2030 goal is 60%); and a 99.4% valorization of industrial solid waste (the 2030 goal is
100%). Additionally, we reached 84% use of electricity from renewable sources (the 2030 goal is 75%), 99.95% use of reusable, recyclable
or compostable packaging (the 2030 goal is 100%) and 30.7% use of packaging with recycled material in Chile (the 2030 goal is 50%).
In 2025,
the main achievements were: a 68.0% reduction (compared to the 2010 baseline) in greenhouse gas emissions per liter produced (the 2030
goal was 50%); a 52.7% decrease in water consumption (compared to the 2010 baseline) per liter produced (the 2030 goal is 60%); and a
99.2% valorization of industrial solid waste (the 2030 goal is 100%). Additionally, we reached 82.8% use of electricity from renewable
sources (the 2030 goal is 75%), 99.95% use of reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging (the 2030 goal is 100%) and 33.7% use of packaging
with recycled material in Chile and Argentina (the 2030 goal is 50%).
CCU has
a Sustainability Committee, a governance body that directs and cross-functionally coordinates all the agendas of the Sustainability Strategy.
This committee is chaired by the Corporate Affairs Officer and its vice-chair is the General Controller, and it also includes the participation
of the CEO and the Chief Financial Officer, among other members. The Sustainability Committee meets quarterly, and it is during these
sessions that progress is reviewed, gaps are explained, and action plans are communicated, ensuring support for the management and fulfillment
of the Sustainability Strategy. Our strategy was designed considering all the challenges, impacts, and opportunities related to our business
and value chain, which has allowed us to continue progressing on the essential topics associated with our industry in deep connection
with our environment and context. In 2024, as part of the management process for the “Juntos por un Mejor Vivir” sustainability
strategy, the Sustainability Committee has defined a review of our progress and priorities at the midpoint of this decade.
Therefore,
in 2025, our 20 Goals for the year 2030 were updated to reach: greenhouse gas emissions per liter produced in Scope 1 and 2 emissions
from 60% to 70% reduction and renewable electricity use from 80% to 85%; industrial water consumption reduction from 55% to 60%; valorization
of industrial solid waste from 95% to 100%; the use of reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging from 95% to 100%; and the use of
packaging with recycled material in Chile and Argentina from 30% to 40%.
There are currently no material legal or administrative
proceedings pending against us in Chile with respect to any environmental matter. We believe that we are complying in all material respects
with all applicable environmental regulations.
63
In Argentina,
there are several statutes imposing obligations on companies regarding environmental matters at the municipal, provincial and federal
levels in accordance with the General Environmental Protection Framework (Law No. 25,675), which establishes the Basic Environmental Protection
Budgets, forming the fundamentals to develop all legislation and national environmental policy. In many cases, private entities operating
public utilities such as water supply and sewage are in charge of controlling and enforcing those regulations.
Another
important federal environmental legislation in Argentina is the Hazardous Waste Act (Law No. 24,051), which is supplemented by additional
provincial legislation, to enforce the provisions of the Hazardous Waste Act when specific federal tests indicate the need to do so. The
application of the provisions of the Hazardous Waste Act depends upon the magnitude of the public health risk and whether those conditions
exist in more than one province. Hazardous waste is defined broadly and includes any residue that may cause harm, directly or indirectly,
to human beings that may pollute the soil, water, atmosphere or the environment in general. Generally, claims involving hazardous waste
give rise to strict liability in the event of damage to third parties. In addition, each province in which we operate facilities has enacted
environmental legislation with broad and generic goals, as well as water codes and related agencies to regulate the use of water and the
disposal of effluents in the water.
CCU Argentina
continues to implement a complete program for the treatment of its industrial waste, which involves the separation, collection, transportation
and reusing of the generated solid waste, in compliance with the Industrial Waste Act (Law No. 25,612), as well as wastewater treatment
plants. The waste program is part of our constant effort to improve environmental conditions.
In Uruguay,
we are subject to the full range of governmental regulation and supervision generally applicable to companies engaged in business in said
country. As a closely held corporation, our subsidiaries are principally governed by Law No. 16,060, which regulates all commercial companies.
Law No. 19,829 on Integral Solid Waste Management, and Resolutions No. 271/021 and No. 1391/024 regarding minimum targets of recovery
and valorization of packaging.
While we
believe that we will continue to be in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations, we cannot assure you that future legislative
or regulatory developments will not impose restrictions on us, which could result in material adverse effects on our businesses, results
of operations and our financial condition. There are currently no material legal or administrative proceedings pending against us in Argentina
with respect to any regulatory matter. We believe that we are complying in all material respects with all applicable statutory and administrative
regulations with respect to our business in Argentina.