Ambev
Ambev’s Price Strategy Hurts Beer Sales
Ambev reported its steepest quarterly beer volume drop outside the pandemic, with an 8.9% decline in Brazil. While the company blamed colder weather, analysts pointed to its decision to raise prices ahead of competitors like Heineken, which gained market share by delaying price hikes. Net income rose 13.8% but a 4.5% drop in volumes overshadowed a 0.2% revenue gain. Analysts remain divided on whether Ambev’s focus on pricing and margins can offset shrinking market share. The company expects improvement in the second half, citing better weather and cost preparedness, but skepticism remains over its long-term strategy.
Asahi
Hard Rated Expands With Orange Flavor
Asahi Beverages’ Hard Rated Alcoholic Orange is a 4.5% RTD spirit premix. Its new orange flavor joins the popular Hard Rated lineup, which has led Australia’s white spirit premix market since 2023. Marketed as sweet, zesty and free of artificial additives, it’s available in multiple pack sizes and on tap. To promote the launch, AFL star Dan Gorringe hosted a three-day event at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, featuring live streams, guest appearances and giveaways.
Brands
SOLO Energy Gains Ground In Australia
SOLO Energy, launched by Asahi Beverages, quickly captured more than 5% of Australia’s $1.3 billion energy drink market. It sold nearly seven million cans within six weeks, boosted by SOLO’s established brand recognition and distinct lemon-based formula with caffeine and guarana. The drink is available in full- and zero-sugar varieties, stocked at major supermarkets and convenience outlets nationwide. A refreshed “SOLO Man” ad campaign, now featuring modern Australian workers, supports the launch. New flavors are planned as the brand seeks to expand its presence.
Carlsberg
Carlsberg Asia Boosts Digital Partnerships
Carlsberg Asia launched its Digital Acceleration Programme, partnering with Meituan, Grab and Delivery Hero to strengthen e-commerce and consumer engagement. It spans eight Asian markets and focuses on using data and AI to improve brand relevance and customer convenience. In China, Carlsberg and Meituan will work on quick delivery and personalized promotions. In Southeast Asia, Grab partnerships will link online ordering with restaurant experiences and event tie-ins. Delivery Hero’s foodpanda and pandamart services will expand Carlsberg’s at-home availability across Asia.
Carlsberg Profits Fall Short Of Forecasts
Carlsberg missed profit and volume expectations in the first half of 2025, reporting 2.3% growth in operating profit and a 1.7% decline in volumes. The company raised the lower end of its annual profit guidance but warned that consumer spending is unlikely to improve due to inflation and uncertainty. Weaker performance in Asia contributed to the miss. CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen said he expected a slightly better performance in the second half, but long-term challenges remain as some consumers reduce alcohol intake. Carlsberg continues to target annual revenue growth of 4–6%, though 2025 may fall short.
Mountain Dew Adds 1.5L Pack
Carlsberg Britvic’s new 1.5-liter pack of Mountain Dew Citrus Blast targets increased at-home consumption. The larger format is positioned as a value option for sharing occasions, extending the brand’s reach beyond its established on-the-go appeal. Rolling out in August across grocery, convenience and wholesale channels, the pack will be available in both standard and price-marked formats, priced at £2.29–£2.49.
Companies
Asahi Expands RTD Brand Globally
Asahi Group is rolling out its Japanese RTD alcohol brand ZEITAKU SHIBORI internationally, starting in New Zealand. The vodka-based beverage contains 10% fruit juice, low sugar and comes in peach and mango flavors. It’s manufactured in Australia and tailored to local tastes. Asahi sees ZEITAKU SHIBORI as central to its Beer Adjacent Categories strategy, which posted 13% sales growth in 2024.
Carlsberg Malaysia Sees Shift In Drinking Habits
Carlsberg Malaysia says there’s a lasting consumer shift toward at-home drinking since the pandemic, with off-trade sales now equaling or exceeding on-trade. Managing director Stefano Clini noted that weak consumer confidence reinforced this trend, as people go out less and drink less when they do. Younger consumers still drink beer, but slightly less than before. Carlsberg is expanding beyond beer into other beverage categories, following the group’s broader acquisitions, such as the £3.3 billion purchase of Britvic in the UK.
Carlsberg Expands Vietnam Brewery Capacity
Carlsberg’s almost $90 million expansion of its Phu Bai brewery in Hue, Vietnam, is complete, increasing brewing capacity there by 50% and making it Carlsberg’s largest production site in Asia, and one of its most efficient anywhere. Despite challenging market conditions in 2025, the company maintained over 3,800 jobs and significant tax contributions in Hue. Carlsberg asked local authorities to support the launch, curb counterfeit alcohol and promote events featuring its brands.
Asahi Posts Mixed First-Half 2025 Results
Asahi Group Holdings reported 0.6% revenue growth year-on-year on a constant currency basis, but reported revenue declined 1.4%. Core operating profit fell 3.2%, reflecting cost pressures, although the company upgraded its full-year profit outlook. Its flagship Asahi Super Dry beer performed strongly with 11% sales growth outside Japan, while Beer Adjacent Categories such as RTD beverages and non-alcohol alternatives grew steadily. Management highlighted ongoing pricing strategies in Japan and Europe as positive. Asahi adjusted its full-year revenue forecast downward but raised its profit expectations.
Lotte Chilsung Profits Rise On Exports
Lotte Chilsung posted a 31.6% year-on-year increase in Q2 net profit, supported by stronger beverage exports, particularly soda and coffee. Operating profit rose 3.5% although overall sales slipped 1.1% amid weak domestic consumption. The non-alcoholic division’s operating profit dropped a third and alcoholic beverages fell 8.2%. Energy drinks sales were up nearly 5%. Lotte said it will expand production capacity and focus on global markets to improve competitiveness and profitability while addressing domestic headwinds in consumption and input costs.
Suntory Unveils Drink-Design Robot
At Expo 2025 in Osaka, Suntory introduced “Lidris,” a robot that creates floating 3D designs in drinks. Lidris uses food-safe and natural pigments to produce patterns that remain stable for over an hour, enhancing the customer experience in cafés, bars and events, and it can also adjust flavor, color and alcohol content. While targeted at hospitality, it also has potential applications in food science and interactive demonstrations.
Lotte
Lotte Opens Automated Distribution Center
Lotte Chilsung consolidated four logistics sites into a new fully automated distribution center in Bupyeong, South Korea, across 8,300 square meters with capacity for over 1.2 million beverage cases annually. The system includes high-density storage, robotic layer picking and automated palletizing, all managed by an integrated warehouse control system.
Suntory
Suntory Launches Pineapple Sports Drink
Suntory Oceania’s Maximus Pineapple Punch is a limited-edition sports drink flavor, available from September in Ampol stores across Australia from November. Sold in 1-liter bottles, the release is designed to energize summer sales and attract new customers. Marketing emphasizes bold Australian flavors and seasonal excitement, aiming to boost retail traffic and category growth during peak demand. Pineapple Punch will be available until March 2026, joining existing Maximus flavors such as Blue, Grape, Mango Passionfruit, and Lemonade Iceblock.
Suntory Targets RTD Leadership Globally
Suntory aims to become number one worldwide in RTD. Currently ranked third, it holds the top spot in Japan and strong positions in Australia, Germany and Canada, and its -196 Vodka Seltzer line recently launched in the US. As the RTD category grows, expansion in the US is particularly. Alongside the On the Rocks cocktail range, Suntory plans continued innovation and flavor expansion, positioning quality and authenticity as central to its strategy for global leadership.
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