Heineken is ceasing production of its brand in Russia.
The Dutch brewer – the world’s second largest beer company – has announced it will stop the production, advertising and sale of the Heineken brand in the country as its assualt on Ukraine rages.
Its CEO Dolf van den Brink said the brewer was “shocked and saddened to watch the tragedy in Ukraine unfold”, calling the war “an unprovoked and completely unjustified attack”.
He said the brewer would “take immediate steps to ring-fence our Russian business from the wider Heineken company to stop the flow of monies, royalties and dividends out of Russia”.
“Heineken will no longer accept any net financial benefit derived from our Russian operations,” he said. The brewer has already halted exports to Russia and investments in the country.
Heineken was now “assessing the strategic options for the future of our Russian operations”, van den Brink added.
However “we see a clear distinction between the actions of the government and our employees in Russia. For more than 20 years, our local employees have been valued members of the Heineken business. Supporting our employees and their families is a key principle as we define the path forward.”
The brewer will also continue donating to NGOs operating in neighbouring Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
It comes as the world’s biggest fmcg suppliers are cutting ties with Russia over the war. Unilever has suspended all imports and exports of its products to and from Russia in protest at the invasion – but will continue to supply ‘everyday essentials’ produced in the country to Russian shoppers.
Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald’s and Starbucks have all also suspended their Russian operations.
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