Greece: Carlsberg launches claim against Heineken alleging anti-competitive behavour in Greece

Carlsberg has launched a claim against Heineken alleging anti-competitive behaviour and is seeking compensation of around �250 million from the Dutch brewing rival, the Daily Express reported on May 31.

Carlsberg, the world's third largest beer producer, accuses Heineken, the second-biggest brewer, of anti-competitive practices in the Greek beer market.

The Danish group's Mythos Brewery has a market share in Greece of 12-15 per cent compared to Heineken's Athenian Brewery (AB) which has 70 per cent of the market.

Confirmation that Carlsberg had launched an action against Heineken came in an Amsterdam court hearing in March in which Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB), another player in the Greek market, is also suing Heineken.

MTB, which has 5 per cent of the market in Greece, is seeking �100 million (�85 million) compensation from the Dutch firm for anti-competitive behaviour.

A lawyer representing MTB said in the Amsterdam court: "You may be aware that another party, Carlsberg, is also seeking compensation for substantial damages."

Carlsberg and Heineken have never acknowledged that they are in litigation over issues related to the Greek market.

Given that Carlsberg's share of the Greek beer market is three times that of MTB's, the amount of compensation sought by the Danish group is expected to exceed �300 million (�255 million).

MTB said Heineken, through its AB subsidiary, "had been illegally distorting the Greek beer market while protecting the supremacy it wields, by coercing and intimidating distributors, retailers and wholesalers, and ultimately ripping off consumers."

MTB director of business development Demetri Chriss said: "Capitalism without competition is exploitation, what Heineken is doing is best described as bullying tactics."