IMPRESSIVE growth from its beverage unit saw Uni-President Enterprises Corp's revenue hit 14 billion yuan (US$1.75 billion) on the mainland last year, a double-digit increase from 2005, according to the president of its mainland subsidiary.

Taiwan's largest food and beverage maker saw sales from its beverage unit jump 30 percent last year, while its instant noodle business grew only three percent, due to a price war and consumers paying more attention to eating healthy foods, according to Wu Chung Lin, president of President Enterprises (China) Investment Co Ltd.

"The Chinese mainland market has not matured yet," Wu said in Beijing over the weekend. "Asia still has huge demand for instant noodles as the pace of living increases."

The Taiwan-listed company was the second largest maker of instant noodles on the Chinese mainland last year, holding 12.8 percent of market share, according to AC Neilson. Its biggest rival, Taiwan-based Ting Hsin International Group, held 35 percent of market share with its Master Kong brand.

President has been actively seeking mergers and acquisitions involving mainland partner for both its beverage and instant noodle units to accelerate its development, Wu said.

President agreed earlier this month to buy into Nissin Hualong Food Co Ltd for 300 million yuan. Nissin is the third-largest instant noodle maker on the mainland.

President hopes to benefit from a broadened sales network in second- and third-tier cities, allowing it to boost sales in northern and northeastern China.

The company has bought stakes into Wandashan Dairy Co Ltd, Jin Mailang Beverage (Beijing) Co Ltd and Jian Libao Trading Co Ltd to grab a bigger market share of the fruit juice, dairy and carbonic beverage markets.

President has invested US$42.6 billion in the mainland since entering the market 15 years ago, according to Wu. It currently has more than 50 mainland subsidiaries and manufacturing facilities.