News

Carlsberg in hot water over price fixing in India

Competition authorities close in on three breweries in relation to the case

Luke Roberts

Beer in India is no laughing matter, with sales in the country totalling over 40 billion kroner.

Of this, 88 percent of the market is accounted for by just three breweries: SABMiller, United Breweries, and Carlsberg.

Now, a report from the Indian competition authorities claims that, for eleven years, the three brewers implemented price agreements in full awareness of their illegality.

READ ALSO: Denmark’s organic exports set new record

Behind closed doors 
According to the report, the breweries used the All India Brewers Association (AIBA) as a platform to negotiate prices, as well as using e-mails and the WhatsApp messaging services to make agreements.

There were at least three cases uncovered where management noted that their plans must remain a secret.

“We must avoid being discovered,” the director of AIBA informed brewery managers in one email from 2016.

Best made plans … 
SABMiller was bought by AB Inbev in 2016 with the new owners discovering the price agreements in 2018. Upon the discovery, AB Inbev reported the case to the authorities.

AB Inbev and United Breweries told Reuters that they “take competition law very seriously” and therefore will “cooperate with the authorities”. Carlsberg refused to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

It has not yet been decided whether the breweries will be fined in the case, but TV2 reports that anonymous sources estimate that the breweries could end up with fines of 1.5 billion kroner if found guilty.

TOP STORIES

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

  • Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Two months ago, the Danish PM announced that military equipment should be purchased in a hurry. The first plans for the sea are now ready. Additional plans for warships will follow this summer.

  • International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    Many internationals come to Denmark to work as designers, but the field appears to be one of the hardest to break into. The Copenhagen Post spoke with two internationals struggling to find their way into the industry.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs