Poland | 2021 was the third year in a row of decline in beer consumption in Poland and the deepest in a decade. Since 2018, the market has contracted by as much as 5 million hl beer. The first quarter 2022 saw the trend continuing.

Belgium | AB-InBev announced on 22 April 2022 that it will sell its stake in the joint venture it operates in Russia with the Turkish group Anadolu Efes, and probably to the latter, while taking a USD 1.1 billion hit. But it did not say what it plans to do with his brewing activities in Ukraine, which are also covered by the joint venture.

Ukraine | Russia’s invasion has wrought havoc on Ukraine, a country of 44 million people. By late April 2022, some estimated 5 million people had fled the country, while more than 7 million people had been displaced internally. Since Russia ended its siege on Kyiv at the end of March and shifted its troops to the east, more than a million Ukrainians are said to have returned to resume their lives, their businesses – and, not least, protect their properties from looting.

German beer exports to Russia take a dive

Germany | Over the past few years, Russia has risen to become the second-largest export market for German beer, behind Italy, and was considered one of the most promising growth markets. According to the German Brewers’ Association, around 2 million hl beer were exported to Russia in 2021. That was almost 13 percent of German beer exports.

Carlsberg flags USD 1.4 billion Russian writedown

Denmark | Carlsberg warned it will book a USD 1.4 billion writedown from the sale of its Russian business, as part of the exodus of western companies in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The writedown does not take into account any external offers for the business, Carlsberg said on 22 April 2022.

AB-InBev to exit Russia and take a USD 1.1 billion charge

Belgium | AB-InBev plans to exit Russia by selling its interest in the joint venture with Turkish brewer Anadolu Efes that operates in Russia and Ukraine and will report a USD 1.1 billion non-cash impairment charge for the first quarter as a result.

Heineken delivers better-than-expected sales as Europe reopens

Netherlands | Heineken, the world’s number two brewer, delivered first-quarter beer sales ahead of expectations as people returned to pubs, bars and restaurants across Europe. Beer volumes rose 5.2 percent on an organic basis over the same period last year.

Russia | That was quick: Only days after Carlsberg said it was leaving Russia for good and sell its Russian unit Baltika (28 March 2022), in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Danish brewer allegedly received two offers.

Russia | Although Russia’s hops imports have not yet been affected by Western sanctions, Moscow is becoming increasingly isolated from international trade. This must be the reason why Russian brewers fear they could be cut off from hops supplies.

United Kingdom | The UK pub group JD Wetherspoon reported that trading at its 859 pubs has almost returned to pre-covid levels. Tim Martin, the group’s Chairman, said on 18 March 2022: “Following a traumatic two years for many businesses and people, the ending of covid restrictions has brought a return to more normal trading patterns in recent weeks.”