Anadolu Efes to acquire majority stake in Tariş Üzüm for US$26M  

TURKEY – Turkish brewing giant Anadolu Efes has reached an agreement to acquire a 60% stake in Tariş Üzüm, the producer of raki brand Mercan, in a deal valued at US$26 million. 

The agreement was signed with the SS Tariş Raisin Agricultural Sales Cooperatives Union. Anadolu Efes stated that the final purchase price will be adjusted according to the working capital reflected in Tariş Üzüm’s balance sheet at the closing of the transaction. 

The company, best known for its Efes Pilsen beer, noted that the acquisition will expand its portfolio in Türkiye by strengthening its presence in the spirits market. Anadolu Efes emphasized that integrating the Mercan brand would allow it to diversify further and broaden its offering in the alcoholic beverage sector. 

This move follows the company’s April 2025 agreement with William Grant & Sons to oversee the sales, marketing and distribution of spirits in Türkiye. At the time, Anadolu Efes said the partnership aligned with its strategy to diversify into near-beer categories and seize growth opportunities in adjacent markets. 

Alongside the acquisition, Anadolu Efes announced plans to reorganize its current and future spirits operations under a joint framework with its parent company, Anadolu Group. The restructuring aims to improve efficiency while minimizing any potential balance sheet impacts. 

The majority stake in Tariş Üzüm will be purchased through a subsidiary, structured with 50.1% ownership by Anadolu Efes and 49.9% by Anadolu Group. Preliminary applications and procedures for both the acquisition and the restructuring have already commenced. 

Separately, Anadolu Efes recently confirmed that its Russian venture, AB InBev Efes, which came under temporary state control in December, has been renamed “Napitki Vmeste” (“Drink Together”). The company clarified that this change affects only the venture’s trademark and logo, without altering ownership. 

Financially, Anadolu Efes reported mixed performance in recent periods. For the full year 2024, net sales edged up 0.2% year-on-year to TL231.35bn (US$5.62bn).  

EBITDA fell 4.6% to TL39.36bn, while net income dropped 58.9% to TL13.11bn. Sales volumes increased slightly by 0.9% to 123.9 million hectolitres. 

In the first half of 2025, net sales revenue declined 3.1% year-on-year to TL111.40bn. EBITDA decreased 19.5% to TL16.70bn, and net income fell 32.2% to TL5.89bn. However, sales volumes rose 7.8% to 55.2 million hectolitres. 

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