Soon it will be possible to get rid of Bavaria in Russia. So far, the company has remained active in Russia, but still wants to get rid of the Russian license.
Bavaria itself does not have a branch in Russia. A Russian brewery that makes beer under license, with extract provided by Bavaria.
According to Swinkels Family Brewers, the company that Bavaria is based on, this construction makes it difficult to cut all links in this way. “Many international beer brands from all kinds of large and small breweries from Europe and America are on sale in Russia, often also through licensed production with one of the four major international players in Russia,” says director Per Swinkels.
Other breweries such as AB InBev and Heineken had a branch in Russia and left the country.
“As is known, we as a brewery also have a licensing contract with a local partner who has breweries in Russia and Ukraine. We have neither our own local brewery nor employees in Russia and therefore cannot sell a local brewery.”
“We built working with them with great confidence.”
However, that’s not the only reason why a complete exit from Russia is so difficult, says Swinkels. “We have strongly decried the Russian regime’s invasion of Ukraine from the very first moment. However, it is a big dilemma for us how to deal with our licensed partner as we share a long history with each other. We have the business with great confidence in their construction. They have no connection with the Russian regime and are not on the list Penalties “.
Despite these arguments, Bavaria has received a lot of criticism in recent months. The brewery held out for a long time, but now the company appears to be crumbling under the pressure. “We made it clear that we want to cancel the licensing contract. We’re discussing that with each other.”
“We continue to adhere to the EU’s sanctions policy and contribute to helping Ukrainian refugees and the Ukrainian people through various donations. We have also been able to offer work to Ukrainian refugees in our company.”
“It is also about moral obligations.”
Karel Berger Derven, the honorary consul of Ukraine in the Netherlands, had argued months ago for the complete withdrawal of the brewery. “The Ukrainian government immediately called for a complete boycott of everything related to Russia. Bavaria insisted that they comply with Dutch law. It may be, but this is also about moral obligations,” Berger Derven said on Sunday in Krak.
The fact that Bavaria is now declaring its desire to terminate the license appears to be a cautious victory for the consul. “This is a positive step. But: look first, then believe.”