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EU: EC rumored ready to fine AB InBev for abuse of dominance

 |  September 23, 2018

According to Reuters’ sources, Anheuser-Busch InBev is set to receive a fine from the European Commission for preventing cheaper beer imports into Belgium.

In 2017, the EC claimed that AB InBev was abusing its market dominance and blocking the brands Jupiler and Leffe from entering Belgium more cheaply from France or the Netherlands.

With its dominant position in the Belgian beer market, the Commission alleged that AB InBev has pursued a deliberate strategy to prevent supermarkets and wholesalers from buying Jupiler and Leffe at lower prices in the Netherlands and France, and from importing them into Belgium.

The EC can fine companies up to 10% of their global turnover, but the sources said a formal decision will take some time before it is announced.

Full Content: Reuters

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