Danish brewer Carlsberg suspended guidance on Wednesday due to uncertainty about the large Russian market and said it had begun a strategic review of its business in the country.
"The future is highly unpredictable and we are reviewing a full range of strategic options for our Russian business," Cees 't Hart, chief executive said in a statement.
Last year, the company generated around 13% of its sales in Russia and Ukraine.
Uncertainty
The uncertain situation in both countries would hurt financial results for 2022, and its assets in both markets may also be subject to non-cash impairment and write-down, Carlsberg noted.
"Due to the very high uncertainty related to Ukraine and Russia and the possible indirect impact on the rest of the group, we do not consider it prudent to provide guidance for 2022," 't Hart said.
Carlsberg has struggled with tough competition in Russia, its main Eastern European market, since it took control of Baltika, the country's largest beer brand, in 2008.
Operations Halted
It halted operations at its three breweries in Ukraine last month, after Russia began a military invasion of the country that Moscow has called a 'special operation.'
Carlsberg would keep operating its eight breweries in Russia, where it has around 8,400 employees, although it would cease all advertising and stop selling its flagship Carlsberg beer brand.
The company said last week it would halt new investments into Russia and suspend exports of beer and other beverages to the country.
News by Reuters, edited by Donna Ahern, Checkout. For more drinks stories, click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
