AB InBev has announced plans to invest US$3.6bn in Mexico through its Grupo Modelo business unit in the country.
The beer giant’s VP of legal & corporate affairs for the ‘Middle Americas’ reporting region, Raúl Escalante, confirmed the intention during President Claudia Sheinbaum’s press conference last week. The funding, which will be implemented between now and 2027, will be used for plant modernisation, unspecified projects with local producers and recycling initiatives.
The investment will concentrate on modernising infrastructure, enhancing glass recycling, providing credit and upgrading facilities across the roughly 1,300 stores in Mexico that stock AB InBev’s brands. Additionally, the company has committed to reinforcing local supply chains and supporting sporting events, fairs, concerts and major festivals domestically, including around the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games.
“Over the course of a century, we’ve grown with the country, from our first brewery here in Mexico City to today, bringing Mexico’s most valuable and representative brands to more than 180 countries,” Escalante said.
“We stand with Mexico, like good friends: in the good times and the bad. For example, during the pandemic, we collaborated with the government to rehabilitate hospitals, which are essential for serving the population.”
In AB InBev’s full-year results for 2024, the ‘Middle Americas’ region delivered a 6.6% year-on-year rise in sales. For the 12-month period, the group as a whole finished up by almost 3%.
