Varun Beverages Partners Asahi Group To Launch CALPIS In India; Shares Gain 0.52%

Mumbai, June 19: Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL) said on Thursday that Japan-based Asahi Group Holdings has entered into a business alliance with the company to introduce the CALPIS brand in India, marking Asahi’s entry into the country’s non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverage market.

According to a release submitted to stock exchanges, Asahi Group has granted franchise rights for the CALPIS brand to Varun Beverages. Under the arrangement, VBL will manufacture, distribute and sell CALPIS products across India.

The companies said a ready-to-drink, non-alcoholic, non-carbonated dairy-based beverage under the CALPIS brand is expected to be launched during the second half of 2026 or later. The initial rollout will include Original and Mango variants.

Asahi will be responsible for product development and technical support, while its local subsidiary will oversee marketing and brand management. Varun Beverages will manage manufacturing, distribution and sales operations in India.

The partnership gives Asahi access to one of the world’s largest beverage markets while enabling Varun Beverages to expand its product portfolio beyond its existing offerings.

Stock Market Snapshot

Shares of Varun Beverages were trading higher following the announcement as investors evaluated the potential of adding a globally recognised beverage brand to the company’s portfolio.

As of 10:07 IST on June 19, 2026, Varun Beverages shares were trading at ₹534.30, up ₹2.75 or 0.52%. The Varun Beverages share price remained in positive territory during morning trade after details of the alliance were disclosed.

While the financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed, the agreement provides VBL access to a brand that has been present in Japan for more than a century and is currently sold in multiple international markets.

Company Background

Varun Beverages is one of PepsiCo’s largest franchise bottlers globally and the second-largest franchisee outside the United States. The company manufactures and distributes carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated beverages and packaged drinking water.

VBL has operations across India and several international markets, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and other African countries.

Asahi Group Holdings, founded in 1889 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, operates a portfolio spanning beer, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and food products across multiple global markets.

Conclusion

The alliance brings the CALPIS brand to India for the first time and provides Asahi Group with a local manufacturing and distribution partner as it enters a fast-growing beverage segment. For Varun Beverages, the partnership broadens its product portfolio and strengthens its position in the country’s evolving non-carbonated beverage market.

Investors will be watching the launch timeline and consumer response once CALPIS products become available in India during the second half of 2026.

Source:

• https://www.nseindia.com/get-quote/equity/VBL/Varun-Beverages-Limited
• https://nsearchives.nseindia.com/corporate/VBL_18062026105539_NewsRelease.pdf