Tunisian Beverage Manufacturing Company
Tunisian beverage group producing and marketing beer, soft drinks, mineral water, and fruit juices.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Tunisian Beverage Manufacturing Company, commonly identified by the French abbreviation SFBT, is a Tunisian food-and-beverage group with roots extending back to 1889, during the period of the French protectorate. The company was formerly known as the Tunis Frigorific and Brewery Company and retained that identity until its corporate name changed in 2012. Its business is centered on the manufacture, bottling, licensing, and distribution of several major beverage categories: beer, carbonated soft drinks, mineral water, and fruit juices. SFBT developed a particularly strong position in Tunisia's beverage economy. Reference material describes it as controlling approximately 85 percent of the national beer market, about 90 percent of the soft-drink market, and between 40 and 50 percent of the mineral-water market. These figures illustrate the company's role as a dominant domestic bottler and marketer rather than a narrowly focused brewery. Its production network includes factories in El Omrane in Tunis and Bou Argoub in Cape Bon. A polyethylene terephthalate bottle-production unit was also planned for Gabès in early 2012, reflecting the importance of packaging capacity to the group's expansion. The group was privatized in 1979. Following privatization, the French Castel Group acquired a partial interest, linking SFBT to an international beverage and brewing network while leaving the Tunisian group as a major local operator. SFBT subsequently expanded through acquisitions, especially in bottled water. It acquired Marwa in 2000 and SOSTEM in 2003. Those businesses brought historic water brands including Safia, a still-water brand, and Aïn Garci, a carbonated-water brand, into the group's portfolio. The group has also been associated with Cristaline in the mineral-water segment. Beer has historically been one of SFBT's defining businesses. Its principal domestic brands include Celtia and Stella, while the company has also produced or marketed Löwenbräu, 33 Export, and Beck's under license. Production reached one million hectoliters in 2002, with tourism identified as an important source of demand. The beer business operated for many years in a highly concentrated environment, although the opening of a Heineken factory in Tunisia in 2007 introduced a significant international competitor. Alcohol advertising and public marketing were subject to restrictions, shaping how beer brands could be promoted. Soft drinks have been another central activity. The national Boga range became a leading Tunisian soda brand and was described as representing roughly one-quarter of the market. SFBT also held the exclusive marketing role for Coca-Cola group soft drinks in Tunisia, giving it access to globally recognized brands alongside its domestic portfolio. The company had previously displaced Pepsi from the Tunisian market during the 1990s, but competition increased after Virgin Cola entered in 2003 through the Meddeb group. Reference material characterizes the soft-drink market at that time as mature and increasingly saturated. Mineral water became a growth platform after the acquisition program that began around 2000. Fruit juice was a smaller business, accounting for less than one percent of turnover in the cited 2005 product mix, but it was considered strategically promising as consumption patterns evolved and consumers sought alternatives to carbonated soft drinks. The reference material notes that juice turnover rose between 2009 and 2010. SFBT also received MSI 20000 certification on 1 November 2008, an event associated with the group's financial-market and governance credentials. Overall, SFBT's identity is that of a diversified Tunisian beverage manufacturer and distribution group. Its competitive strength rests on domestic scale, a broad portfolio of local and international brands, licensed production relationships, and ownership or control of businesses across beer, soda, water, and juice. The available reference material does not identify a current chief executive, current shareholder structure, official website, or more recent operating developments.
History
The Tunisian Beverage Manufacturing Company, known as SFBT, traces its origins to 1889, when it was established during the French protectorate. The business was historically known as the Tunis Frigorific and Brewery Company, a name that reflected its early association with brewing and refrigeration. It later developed into a diversified beverage group serving the Tunisian market. A major structural change occurred in 1979, when the company was privatized. After privatization, the French Castel Group acquired a partial interest. This relationship connected SFBT with a major international beverage and brewing company while supporting the Tunisian group's development as a domestic market leader. An earlier proposal for cooperation with Dutch brewer Heineken did not proceed. Heineken nevertheless became a direct competitive force after opening a factory in Tunisia in 2007. SFBT's expansion strategy included acquisitions in bottled water. It acquired Marwa in 2000 and SOSTEM in 2003. Through these transactions, SFBT strengthened its water operations and gained access to established brands such as Safia and Aïn Garci. The group also held the Cristaline brand in its water portfolio. This acquisition-led development reduced the company's dependence on beer and soft drinks and gave it exposure to a growing non-alcoholic category. The group's production base includes facilities in El Omrane, Tunis, and Bou Argoub in Cape Bon. A PET-bottle manufacturing unit was planned for Gabès in early 2012, demonstrating an effort to develop packaging capabilities alongside beverage production. In the same year, the company formally adopted the English-translated identity Tunisian Beverage Manufacturing Company, replacing the former Tunis Frigorific and Brewery Company name. Beer remained one of SFBT's principal activities. Celtia and Stella were its main Tunisian brands, while licensed production or marketing arrangements covered Löwenbräu, 33 Export, and Beck's. Beer production reached one million hectoliters in 2002, supported in part by tourism. The category operated under advertising and public-marketing restrictions, which limited conventional promotional activity. Soft drinks became another core business. The Boga range was a leading national soda line, and SFBT also marketed Coca-Cola group soft drinks exclusively in Tunisia according to the reference material. During the 1990s, SFBT's competitive position was strong enough to remove Pepsi from the Tunisian market. Virgin Cola entered through the Meddeb group in 2003, increasing competitive pressure in an increasingly mature category. Mineral water represented a smaller but expanding business, while fruit juice was initially a minor contributor with growth potential. The company received MSI 20000 certification on 1 November 2008. Available material does not provide a complete account of later corporate developments, current management, current ownership, or recent financial performance. The documented history nevertheless presents SFBT as one of Tunisia's most important beverage groups, built through privatization, partial foreign investment, brand licensing, acquisitions, and product diversification.
- 2012
Corporate name change
[1]The former Tunis Frigorific and Brewery Company adopted the name Tunisian Beverage Manufacturing Company.
- 2008
MSI 20000 certification
[1]SFBT officially received MSI 20000 certification on 1 November.
- 2007
Heineken enters local beer production
[1]A Heineken factory opened in Tunisia, introducing a significant competitor to SFBT's beer business.
- 2003
Acquisition of SOSTEM
[1]The group acquired SOSTEM, adding further mineral-water operations and the historic Aïn Garci and Safia brands.
- 2002
Beer production reaches one million hectoliters
[1]Beer production was reported at one million hectoliters, with tourism contributing to demand.
- 2000
Acquisition of Marwa
[1]SFBT acquired Marwa as part of its expansion into mineral water.
- 1979
Privatization
[1]The company was privatized, after which the French Castel Group acquired a partial interest.
- 1889
Company founded
[1]The business was founded in Tunisia during the period of the French protectorate.
Products and positioning
A dominant Tunisian beverage manufacturing and marketing group combining national brands, licensed international beverages, and a broad portfolio spanning alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Beer
Celtia
Celtia is one of SFBT's principal domestic beer brands and a major part of the group's historic brewing portfolio. It serves the Tunisian market alongside Stella and has benefited from SFBT's extensive production and distribution infrastructure.
Beer
Stella
Stella is a leading Tunisian beer brand associated with SFBT's core brewing business. The available reference material identifies it as one of the group's principal beer brands, but does not provide a separate launch date or detailed current product range.
Carbonated soft drinks
Boga
Boga is SFBT's nationally developed soda range and one of the most prominent local brands in its portfolio. Reference material describes the range as representing approximately one-quarter of the Tunisian soft-drink market in the cited period.
Carbonated soft drinks
Coca-Cola group soft drinks
SFBT has held the exclusive marketing role for Coca-Cola group soft drinks in Tunisia according to the reference material. This licensed and distribution-based activity complements the company's own Boga range and gives it access to international soft-drink brands.
Still mineral water
Safia
Safia is a historic still-water brand associated with SOSTEM and subsequently included in SFBT's mineral-water portfolio. The group expanded in bottled water through acquisitions rather than relying only on its original brewing and soda activities.
Carbonated mineral water
Aïn Garci
Aïn Garci is a historic carbonated-water brand brought into SFBT's portfolio through the acquisition of SOSTEM. It represents the group's presence in Tunisia's mineral and sparkling-water segment.
Beer
Löwenbräu
Löwenbräu has been produced or marketed by SFBT under license. It is part of the group's internationally connected beer portfolio rather than one of its principal domestic brands.
Beer
33 Export
33 Export is among the beer brands that SFBT has produced or marketed under license in Tunisia. The available material does not specify the duration or current terms of the arrangement.
Beer
Beck's
Beck's has been included among the licensed beer brands associated with SFBT. No separate launch date or current distribution detail is provided in the available reference.
Fruit juice
Fruit juices
Fruit juice was a relatively small SFBT category in the cited product mix but was considered to have growth potential as consumers shifted some demand away from carbonated soft drinks. The reference material records turnover growth for the category between 2009 and 2010 without identifying individual juice brands.
Brand decisions
2012
Corporate rebranding and packaging expansionStrategyBackground
The historical company name emphasized refrigeration and brewing, while the business had become a diversified beverage group.
Action taken
The company adopted the name Tunisian Beverage Manufacturing Company and planned a PET-bottle production unit in Gabès.
Aftermath
The new name better represented the breadth of the group's beverage activities, while the planned packaging unit indicated an effort to reinforce production infrastructure.
2003
Acquisition of SOSTEMM&ABackground
SFBT continued consolidating its position in mineral water after acquiring Marwa.
Action taken
The group acquired SOSTEM, whose portfolio included the historic Safia and Aïn Garci brands.
Aftermath
SFBT expanded its bottled-water offering and added both still and carbonated water to its established beer and soft-drink businesses.
2000
Expansion into mineral water through MarwaM&ABackground
SFBT sought to strengthen its position beyond beer and soft drinks by entering or expanding in bottled water.
Action taken
The group acquired Marwa.
Aftermath
The acquisition formed part of a broader water-sector expansion that was followed by the purchase of SOSTEM in 2003.
1979
Privatization and partial Castel investmentStrategyBackground
The company transitioned from its earlier ownership structure during Tunisia's privatization period.
Action taken
SFBT was privatized and subsequently received a partial investment from the French Castel Group.
Aftermath
The transaction supported SFBT's development as a major Tunisian beverage group and connected it with an international brewing and beverage network.
Recent events
- 2012
SFBT changes its corporate name from Tunis Frigorific and Brewery Company[1]
Other
The company adopted the name Tunisian Beverage Manufacturing Company, replacing the former Tunis Frigorific and Brewery Company identity.
- 2008
SFBT receives MSI 20000 certification[1]
Other
SFBT officially received MSI 20000 certification on 1 November 2008.
- 2007
Heineken factory introduces new beer competition in Tunisia[1]
Other
The establishment of a Heineken factory ended SFBT's previously described monopoly-like position in Tunisian beer production and marketing.
- 2000
SFBT expands its mineral-water portfolio through acquisitions[1]
M&A
The group acquired Marwa and later SOSTEM, strengthening its position in bottled and carbonated mineral water and adding brands including Safia and Aïn Garci.
Sources1 sources
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