Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC was recently honored with the title of ‘Best Exporter – Beverages’ at the 27th Presidential Export Awards for 2024/25, held at the BMICH in Colombo. This prestigious award, presented by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), is the highest national accolade for export excellence and acknowledges the company’s leadership in beverage exports and its role in boosting Sri Lanka’s global presence.
Rajiv Meewakkala, Chief Executive Officer, expressed his thoughts on the achievement, stating, “This recognition is a powerful endorsement of Lion Brewery’s commitment to taking Sri Lankan excellence to the world. Our teams, partners, and consumers across continents have fueled this journey, and we remain dedicated to elevating the Lion brand globally while staying true to our Lankan heritage.”
As the largest alcoholic beverage manufacturer and exporter in Sri Lanka, Lion Brewery has transitioned from dominating the domestic market to establishing a strong international presence. Currently, Lion Brewery products are available in over 19 countries, spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and North America, with Africa and the UAE serving as significant growth drivers.
The company’s export division reported an impressive 64% year-on-year growth, highlighting the effectiveness of its global strategy and the increasing international demand for Lion Brewery products. The company has also achieved leading positions in markets such as the Maldives and Qatar, strengthened its presence in Middle Eastern travel retail, and experienced robust growth in Australia, the UK, and EU regions, with Italy standing out as a particularly strong performer. Building on this success, Lion Brewery is also expanding its draught brew portfolio internationally to meet the growing demand for premium on-tap experiences in select markets.
Lion Brewery’s export strategy focuses on a ‘glocal’ approach, which involves adapting taste profiles, packaging, and market strategies to align with local consumer preferences while maintaining global quality standards. This approach involves a meticulous effort to interpret and express Lion’s brand essence through the cultural and consumer lens of each market, enabling the brand to resonate across diverse markets without losing its authentic identity.
Innovation is central to Lion Brewery’s export success, encompassing portfolio innovation, brand experience innovation, and process innovation. The company continues to introduce new formats, flavors, seasonal brews, and variants infused with local ingredients, while forming partnerships and activations that connect consumers across cultures and communities. At an operational level, Lion is advancing digital brewing technologies, automated quality testing, and sustainable sourcing practices to scale responsibly and efficiently. Through these initiatives, Lion Brewery continues to champion Sri Lankan excellence globally, reinforcing its role as an enduring symbol of quality, innovation, and national pride.
Lion Brewery’s global success is further bolstered by international recognition for its portfolio. Lion Stout was recently recognized as the World’s Best Tropical Stout, while Lion Lager continues to receive global taste accolades, affirming the brand’s reputation for quality and craftsmanship. This momentum reflects Lion’s evolution from Sri Lanka’s iconic brew into a globally resonant lifestyle brand, shaped by a fearless spirit, passion for adventure, and commitment to delivering exceptional celebratory experiences to consumers worldwide.
Image caption: Rajiv Meewakkala, Chief Executive Officer of Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC receiving the award
