Heineken reported a significant decline in global beer sales for the third quarter, with volumes falling 4.3% year over year. The Dutch brewer sold 59 million hectoliters of beer between July and September, down from 61.9 million hectoliters in the same period last year. The company cited a “challenging environment” across key markets, particularly in Europe and the Americas. Consumer demand weakened in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States, contributing to the downturn. Heineken also faced tough negotiations with major retailers, including a public dispute earlier this year with Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo. Similar tensions were reported in France.
Despite the drop in volume, revenue remained relatively stable. Heineken posted €7.3 billion in revenue for the quarter, a marginal decline of 0.3% compared to Q3 2024. The company attributed this resilience to pricing strategies and premium product positioning. However, Heineken warned that several headwinds persist. Inflationary pressures and currency fluctuations particularly the weakening of local currencies against the euro continue to impact profitability.
While the brewer expects some recovery in markets like the Netherlands and Germany, it does not anticipate a swift resolution to all challenges. Earlier this month, Heineken announced a major restructuring at its Amsterdam headquarters, cutting 400 jobs nearly 25% of its staff there. The reorganization is scheduled to begin in March 2026.
