Budweiser APAC denies axing thousands of jobs to cut costs

Belgium | AB-InBev has denied a report that thousands of jobs are on the block this year at its Asia-Pacific unit Budweiser Brewing Co APAC. Bloomberg reported on 13 March, that the firm was looking to cut operational costs by about 15 percent this year, which may include thousands of job cuts. In 2024 already, Budweiser APAC axed some 4 000 jobs, or 16 percent of its 25 000-strong workforce.

Sweden | For more than 20 years the legalisation of cellar door sales or yard sales at small breweries, wineries and distilleries has been deliberated, but successive governments just kicked the can down the road. No one dared impinge on the alcohol monopoly of the state-owned retailer Systembolaget, the guardian of public health. Now things might move quickly. The Swedish parliament is expected to vote on the government’s “freedom reform” bill at the end of April. If all goes to plan, it could become law on 1 June.

Britain lost 100 breweries last year, says SIBA

United Kingdom | The number of independent breweries in Britain declined at its fastest rate in 2024, figures from SIBA, released on 21 February, suggest. The UK had 1,715 breweries at the end of 2024, 100 fewer than at the start of the year, according to the data released by industry body SIBA, which represents independent brewing companies. The overall decline in 2023 was just eight.

Heineken sites in DR Congo hit by conflict in the east of the country

The Netherlands | Heineken has said that facilities in two cities have been looted and damaged, after the so-called M23 rebels took over territory that included the cities of Bukavu and Goma in eastern Congo in February. Heineken reported on 28 February that its fully-owned subsidiary Bralima had suspended operations before the fighting reached the cities.

Should French expats be warned against Africa Ti l’Or beer in the CAR?

France | Olivier Cadic, the Senator for French citizens living abroad, is sticking to his guns. Having failed to elicit a satisfactory response a year ago, he put the same question to France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs again. It concerns the health risks faced by their compatriots in the Central African Republic (CAR) in connection with the consumption of a beer called Africa Ti L'Or. Although he did not mention it, it is a known fact that this beer is brewed by a former Wagner subsidiary in the CAR.

Austria | Trouble ahead for Heineken. The ECJ’s milestone ruling confirmed that the Dutch firm can be held liable even if it knew nothing about Brau Union’s alleged abuses of market dominance in Austria. On 11 February, the first public hearing was held at the Vienna Cartel Court. Class actions against Heineken can no longer be ruled out.

Heineken can face Dutch lawsuit over Greek dominance abuse, EU court rules

Luxembourg | Heineken can be sued in its home country over damages allegedly suffered by a rival in Greece, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled on 13 February. The EU’s highest court confirmed that a Dutch court can deal with the claims brought by Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB) against both Athenian Brewery and its parent Heineken, arising from market power abuses in Greece between 1998 and 2014.

Athenian Brewery hits almost EUR 500 million in sales in 2024

Greece | Athenian Brewery, whose market dominance abuses from more than 20 years ago could now lead to a hefty fine for its parent Heineken, has reaffirmed yet again that it is among the Heineken Group’s “golden” subsidiaries. Sales rose to nearly EUR 500 million in 2024, the Greek media outlet Protothema reported on 13 February.

Heineken delivers positive outlook for 2025

The Netherlands | With all the turbulences in the past few years, Heineken’s investors were elated that the Dutch brewer expects more growth for this year and said it would launch a EUR 1.5 billion share buyback. This was despite Heineken reporting weaker profit and revenue in fiscal 2024.

AB-InBev sold less beer in 2024 as China weakness persists

Belgium | AB-InBev sold less beer than analysts expected in the fourth quarter 2024, dragged down by lingering weakness in China. Volume sales in China fell 19 percent in the fourth quarter, marking the third consecutive quarter of double-digit declines there. The brewer said on 26 February that its Chinese business underperformed in a soft beer market, as budget-conscious consumers spent less money in bars and restaurants.