Beer consumption down, Heineken cuts 6,000 jobs. Especially in Europe
The announcement by the Dutch group, which also has Birra Moretti and Ichnusa in its portfolio
Last month's surprise announcement of CEO Dolf van den Brink's step aside (he will leave the post in May after six years at the top) was just the warning jolt before the earthquake: Heineken will reduce its workforce by around 7% to cope with an industry-wide drop in demand for beer, triggered by rising prices and a more moderate approach to alcohol on the part of consumers.
The Dutch manufacturer, which also produces (among others) the Italian Birra Moretti, Ichnusa, and Dreher, has declared that it will cut 5,000 to 6,000 jobs - mainly in Europe and outside the Netherlands - out of a global workforce of 87,000. A cost-cutting action on personnel was expected and provided for in the recovery plan, but the decision goes much further. 'We are doing this to strengthen operations and to be able to invest in growth,' said cfo Harold van den Broek. Some cuts will be concentrated in Europe or in non-priority markets with lower growth prospects, he added, and some will result from already announced initiatives concerning the supply network, headquarters and regional business units. The cuts will take place over two years, the company specified, without specifying which roles will be affected.
From the Italian head office it is reported that in the last few hours 'the Heineken group has shared an update on the ongoing organisational evolution' and that 'at the moment there is no specific information to indicate that the changes communicated at European level will affect the organisation or employees of Heineken Italia'.
The company, meanwhile, expects operating profit to grow between 2% and 6% this year, compared to 4.4% in 2025. Although the forecasts are 'slightly more conservative' than market expectations, they prepare the company for results in a year of transition, Jefferies analysts said in a note. Berenberg analysts commented that the results were better than feared' and that the guidance shows Heineken's commitment to productivity.
In 2025, the company reported a decline in beer volumes, although the 2.4% drop was slightly better than analysts had expected. Organic operating profit, which grew by 4.4%, also exceeded expectations. The company reports that Birra Moretti's volumes declined slightly, due to a weaker performance in Italia and the UK, but grew in the rest of Europe, particularly in Switzerland, Ireland and France.
