Ambev
Heineken Challenges Ambev’s Exclusivity Deals
Heineken submitted new evidence to Brazil’s competition authority, CADE, claiming Ambev exceeded limits on exclusive branding agreements with bars and restaurants, arguing that Ambev’s share of exclusive menus is now well beyond the 15% cap set in a 2023 cease-and-desist agreement. Ambev denies breaking the rules and says independent auditors verify compliance. Heineken’s study, based on menu reviews at 3,400 venues, suggests exclusivity remains widespread in key neighborhoods of Rio and São Paulo. The dispute comes as both brewers prepare for a potentially strong sales year boosted by the FIFA World Cup and continued competition in premium beer.
Carlsberg
Report Links Carlsberg To Sapporo Talks
Carlsberg declined to comment on a Bloomberg report of discussions with Japan’s Sapporo Holdings about selling a minority stake in its Asia business, which includes eight markets and 34 breweries, with China as the largest contributor. Speculation comes shortly after Carlsberg completed a major expansion of its Vietnamese brewery and two years after its Malaysia unit signed a licensing and distribution deal with Sapporo. Carlsberg calls the report “market speculation,” offering no further details on its strategic plans in Asia.
Margins At Carlsberg Malaysia To Remain Strong
RHB Research expects Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia to maintain strong profit margins supported by a third-quarter price increase, efficiency gains and favorable input costs. The firm says frontloaded purchases ahead of a November excise tax hike may slow volumes temporarily, pushing brewers to increase marketing efforts. Carlsberg’s year-to-date financial results met expectations, with nine-month core profit rising to RM280 million. RHB notes that Visit Malaysia Year 2026 should support demand, while longer-term growth will come from premium products and margin expansion. Although the excise duty hike is a headwind, the brokerage says the impact is largely priced in.
Carlsberg Makes Tiny Beer Bottle
Carlsberg created a miniature non-alcoholic beer bottle only 12 millimeters tall, holding a single drop of liquid. The collaboration with a glassblowing company, precision engineers and a miniature artist aims to promote responsible drinking. The bottle includes a to-scale cap and label. Carlsberg and Sweden’s KTH student union are also inviting students to attempt an even smaller version, with a cash prize and a visit to the Carlsberg Research Laboratory.
Companies
Lotte Ends Draft Beer Keg Production
Lotte Chilsung Beverage will stop producing its Crush and Kloud draft beer kegs to focus on canned and bottled products and expand its functional and nonalcoholic beer offerings. The company says the shift aims to improve efficiency and respond to changing market conditions. Draft beer sales have fallen as dining-out and nightlife spending declined amid inflation. By the third quarter, domestic beer revenue had dropped nearly 39%. Lotte says other beer formats will continue unchanged and that the restructuring is intended to support better products and customer service across its core categories.
Carlsberg Adds Nordic Renewable PPAs
Carlsberg signed new power purchase agreements to increase the share of renewable electricity used at its breweries in Norway, Sweden and Finland starting in 2026. The hydro and wind contracts will lift the company’s global PPA coverage from about 10% to 21%. Ringnes in Norway will source most of its electricity from a hydro plant, while Carlsberg Sverige and Sinebrychoff in Finland will draw heavily from new wind farms. The company is also testing low-carbon distribution methods such as electric freight.
Winter Soft-Drink Demand Offers Growth
Carlsberg Britvic’s research shows strong winter demand for on-the-go soft drinks, with most consumers buying them weekly despite colder weather. The company says retailers can boost sales by pairing soft drinks with hot food. Lunchtime remains the key moment for these combined purchases. Cola is the most popular option, followed by functional and fruity drinks. Carlsberg Britvic recommends clear in-store signs and bundled offers to guide shoppers and increase basket size.
Lotte
Lotte Chilsung Posts Higher Q3 Profit
Lotte Chilsung Beverage reported a 17% year-on-year rise in Q3 operating profit, reaching 91.8 billion won, despite flat revenue and weak domestic consumption. Beverage revenue was slightly lower at the same time as higher material costs and a strong dollar pressured categories like juice and bottled water. Carbonated drinks sales grew modestly, led by Chilsung Cider Zero, and energy-drink revenue rose nearly a quarter on new product launches. Exports increased, helped by global interest in Korean beverages such as Milkis. International operations performed well.
Market News
Cyberattack Drives Drop In Asahi Sales
Asahi reported a sharp sales decline in October following a cyberattack that disrupted operations across Japan. Soft-drink revenue fell about 40% as production and shipping were handled manually, although sales improved toward the end of the month. Beer sales were less affected, reaching more than 90% of last year’s levels as the company focused on core products. Asahi also warned that personal data may have been compromised in the ransomware incident. Rival Kirin reported October beer sales growth, highlighting the competitive pressure Asahi faces during recovery.
RJ Corp
Varun Expands In Africa With Kenya Unit
Varun Beverages established a wholly owned subsidiary in Kenya to manufacture and distribute beverages, strengthening its African presence. The move follows an October announcement that its African units will distribute Carlsberg beer under an exclusive agreement. In the third quarter, consolidated volumes rose 2.4%, supported by strong growth in international markets, especially South Africa. Revenue increased 2% and net profit grew 20% due to lower finance costs and favorable currency movements. India volumes were flat because of heavy rainfall during the quarter.
Suntory
Suntory Builds Digital Backbone For Growth
Suntory Oceania completed a three-year, $30 million IT transformation to support its new $400 million carbon-neutral beverage facility in Queensland. The overhaul rebuilt the company’s digital systems around SAP S/4HANA, integrating production, warehousing, logistics and customer engagement into a single platform. The project enabled high automation at the new site, including automated pallet movement and real-time visibility from order to dispatch, and improved customer-facing systems through a unified CRM and updated online store. Suntory says the digital foundation strengthens its regional competitiveness and sustainability ambitions.
Suntory To Raise Spirits Prices
Suntory will raise prices by up to 20% on premium whisky, imported soju, and wine starting April next year, a move the company says is necessary because of higher packaging and procurement costs. Products affected include Hibiki, Yamazaki and Hakushu. About 40 imported items and more than 100 wines will also see increases. The move may temporarily reduce demand from Korean “quick-turn” travelers who purchase whisky in Japan for duty-free savings. Domestic duty-free operators also expect to adjust prices.
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