Saturday, April 1, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Myanmar military’s beer sales tumble after junta boycott

AFPbyAFP
April 4, 2022, 11:30 am
in News, World News
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

When Japanese brewing giant Kirin called time on its Myanmar operations last month, the news made little difference to Kyaw Gyi — like many drinkers, he had long boycotted the beer it produced with a military conglomerate.

This photo taken on March 31, 2022 shows Myanmar Beer being poured in a restaurant in Yangon. – For years Myanmar Beer dominated bars and supermarket shelves, but after the generals ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government last February many turned their backs on produced with a junta-backed conglomerate, along with a host of other goods made by companies linked to the armed forces, from soap to coffee. AFP

For years, Myanmar Beer dominated bars and supermarket shelves, its Japanese backing a sign of the economic liberalisation washing into the Southeast Asian country after the military relaxed its iron grip on power in 2011. 

But after the generals ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government in February last year, many turned their backs on the brew, along with a host of other goods made by companies linked to the armed forces, from soap to coffee.

“We know other beer brands are paying tax to the military, but we don’t want all of our money going to them,” said sailor Kyaw Gyi, sitting outside a bar on Yangon’s 19th Street, a popular drinking haunt.

“We avoid it. If there is only Myanmar Beer in the restaurant, then we don’t drink beer,” he said, using a pseudonym.

ADVERTISEMENT

Farther along the street in Yangon’s bustling downtown, restaurant manager Zaw Naing said his establishment hadn’t sold the light, five percent brew since April last year.

It was not just the beer orders they had cancelled, he added — they also asked the brand to take back all the chairs, tables and umbrellas that bore its red, white and gold emblem.

“If people see the Myanmar Beer logo with our restaurant name, they won’t come,” he said, also asking to use a pseudonym.

Demand down

As anger seethes at the military’s crackdown on dissent — which a local monitoring group says has killed more than 1,700 people — establishments still serving the beer have faced more serious consequences.

In early March, bombs were set off outside two Yangon bars and a restaurant in second city Mandalay that were still selling the beer, according to local media.

Drivers transporting the beer in the rural central plains have also been stopped by local anti-coup groups and their cargoes trashed, according to local media reports. 

Myanmar Brewery — the firm run by Kirin and military conglomerate Myanma Economic Holdings — enjoyed a market share of nearly 80 percent, according to figures published by Kirin in 2018.

Following months of Covid- and coup-related disruption in 2021, its year-end operating profit was just 6.6 billion yen ($54 million) — compared with 13.8 billion the previous year.

In February, after months of trying to dissolve its partnership with the military-backed firm, and as pressure from rights groups escalated, the Japanese giant announced it would leave Myanmar.

The boycott and its upcoming exit is leaving rivals Heineken, Carlsberg and Thailand’s Chang eyeing the market gap.

The three breweries “have picked up market share from Myanmar Beer, particularly in the cities”, said a Yangon-based market observer who did not want to be named.

AFP has contacted Carlsberg for comment.

A representative for Heineken who requested anonymity said it was “too early to assess and comment on consumer purchasing habits”.

‘We keep drinking’

But back on 19th Street, Aung Myo said customers had long switched to beers untainted by connections to military-backed firms, like Chang, Tiger — owned by Heineken — and Carlsberg’s Tuborg. 

“People don’t want to drink Myanmar Beer even though it tastes good,” he told AFP.

“The demand is definitely down.”

In Myanmar’s complex political landscape, there are still some areas where punters can enjoy a Myanmar Beer in peace.

Crowded bars in the military-built capital Naypyidaw were still serving it on a recent Saturday night, and the brew is reportedly still available in further-flung rural areas that have seen little coup-related violence. 

The boycott has also been rebuffed in Rakhine in the west, where a truce between the junta and Arakan Army (AA) rebels fighting for greater autonomy has insulated the state from the turmoil gripping much of the rest of Myanmar.

“We don’t see any boycott movement here,” said government employee Htun Htun, 28, at a bar in state capital Sittwe, where billboards for the beer still lined the streets.

“So, we keep drinking it… The alcohol rate is not too high and the taste is good.” 

Analysts say the AA is taking advantage of the calm to expand its presence in the state, setting up its own courts and administration while the junta battles anti-coup dissidents elsewhere.

Clashes between the AA and the military in 2019 displaced more than 200,000 people across the state, one of Myanmar’s poorest. 

While the current peace lasts, Nyi Nyi, 27, said he would not be looking to change. 

“If there’s no problem with the military, we will still choose our usual Myanmar Beer,” he said.

Tags: beerJuntamilitaryMyanmar
ADVERTISEMENT
AFP

AFP

Related Posts

PBBM: Bataan-Cavite link ‘incredible feat’ once done

byVince Lopezand1 others
April 1, 2023, 1:10 am
0
8
President: Keep military assets in tip-top shape

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday applauded the planned construction of the P175.6-billion Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB), which will drastically...

Read more

DOJ: One of plotters arrested

byRey E. Requejoand1 others
April 1, 2023, 1:05 am
0
8
DOJ to present additional evidence in Ongpin case

Remulla claims Degamo slay '99% solved,' says Teves in midst of it all The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has...

Read more

EU: ‘Serious’ PH compliance helping seafarers retain jobs

byManila Standard
April 1, 2023, 1:00 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

The European Union will still recognize certificates of Filipino seafarers, saying the Philippines has made "serious" developments to comply with...

Read more

Big LPG price cut at P9.20/k; Gas, diesel seen to cost more

byAlena Mae S. Flores
April 1, 2023, 12:50 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

Petron Corp. announced a P9.20 per kilo price cut for liquefied petroleum gas effective today, even as domestic pump prices...

Read more

President: Keep military assets in tip-top shape

byVince Lopezand1 others
April 1, 2023, 12:45 am
0
8
President: Keep military assets in tip-top shape

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday emphasized the importance of repair and maintenance of military assets as he inspected two...

Read more

Palace says work stops April 5 at noon to aid Holy Week lull

byManila Standard
April 1, 2023, 12:40 am
0
8
Palace eyes signed budget bill by yearend

Malacañan Palace on Friday announced the suspension of work in executive department offices starting noon on April 5, Holy Wednesday,...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • The Cat’s Spleen: Anatomical Structure, Function, Ailments and Treatments
  • Pawsbook
  • Women YouTube content creators break barriers online and beyond
  • TW Steel launches new campaign ‘Time is Now’ in PH
  • HD Spikers turn back Cotabato Spikers, complete perfect season
  • TNT mauls Meralco, sets championship faceoff with Ginebra
  • Notice of Postponement of Annual Stockholder’s Meeting- Asia Pacific Medical Center Iloilo
  • PBBM: Bataan-Cavite link ‘incredible feat’ once done

Advertisement

Latest News

TNT mauls Meralco, sets championship faceoff with Ginebra

byManila Standard Sports
April 1, 2023, 10:40 am
0
8
TNT mauls Meralco, sets championship faceoff with Ginebra

By Peter Atencio Rhondae Jefferson-Hollis banged in 42 points to go with eight rebounds, an assist, two blocks and a...

Read more

Notice of Postponement of Annual Stockholder’s Meeting- Asia Pacific Medical Center Iloilo

byManila Standard
April 1, 2023, 6:00 am
0
8
Notice of Postponement of Annual Stockholder’s Meeting- Asia Pacific Medical Center Iloilo

Notice of Postponement of Annual Stockholder’s Meeting

Read more

PBBM: Bataan-Cavite link ‘incredible feat’ once done

byVince Lopezand1 others
April 1, 2023, 1:10 am
0
8
President: Keep military assets in tip-top shape

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday applauded the planned construction of the P175.6-billion Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB), which will drastically...

Read more

DOJ: One of plotters arrested

byRey E. Requejoand1 others
April 1, 2023, 1:05 am
0
8
DOJ to present additional evidence in Ongpin case

Remulla claims Degamo slay '99% solved,' says Teves in midst of it all The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has...

Read more

EU: ‘Serious’ PH compliance helping seafarers retain jobs

byManila Standard
April 1, 2023, 1:00 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

The European Union will still recognize certificates of Filipino seafarers, saying the Philippines has made "serious" developments to comply with...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App