EU fines AB Inbev for restricting cross-border beer sales

BRUSSELS – European Union anti-trust regulators are fining AB Inbev, the world’s biggest brewer, more than 200 million euros ($225 million) for abusing its dominant position in the Belgian beer market.

The EU’s executive commission said Monday that the Belgium-based brewer is selling its popular Jupiler brand at lower prices to supermarkets and wholesalers in the neighbouring Netherlands.

The commission, which polices anti-trust issues, says AB Inbev is trying to keep prices high in Belgium by stopping those Dutch outlets from exporting Jupiler back across the border more cheaply.

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager says “attempts by dominant companies to carve up (Europe’s) single market to maintain high prices are illegal.”

She says Belgian consumers have been paying more for Jupiler “because of AB Inbev’s deliberate strategy to restrict cross border sales.”