The Danish brewing holding Carlsberg Group announced the sale of shares in the Russian brewing company Baltika to a structure owned by two of its top managers, according to a press release from Carlsberg Group on December 3. The day before, the company regained control over its Russian subsidiary.
The transaction is expected to close within the next couple of days. The Carlsberg Group will receive a cash consideration as well as Baltika Breweries’ shareholdings in Carlsberg Azerbaijan and Carlsberg Kazakhstan. More details about the financial impact will be released in connection with Carlsberg Group’s 2024 Annual Report.
“Since the announcement of our intention to leave Russia in 2022, we have exhausted all options to find a way to achieve a full exit from Russia while protecting our employees, our assets and the value of the Carlsberg business. With today’s announcement, we will settle numerous lawsuits and IP rights issues related to Baltika Breweries. Considering the circumstances, we believe it is the best achievable outcome for our employees, shareholders and the continued business,” says Jacob Aarup-Andersen, CEO of Carlsberg Group.
The deal will be a management buy-out. The new controlling shareholder of Baltika Breweries will be a company owned equally by two longstanding Baltika employees, currently holding leading positions in the company. The two individuals will take over the management of Baltika Breweries as General Manager and Deputy General Manager, respectively.
Since 2 December, Baltika Breweries is no longer placed under temporary management by the Russian state, and the current external management, who was put in place as Baltika management by the Russian authorities in 2023, will leave their positions.
Prior to completion, the sale has been approved by both Danish and Russian authorities. With the divestment, Carlsberg Group will no longer have any ownership of shares in Baltika Breweries.
The sale will put an end to a period of uncertainty since a presidential decree in July 2023 temporarily transferred the control of Baltika Breweries to the Russian state. The Carlsberg Group subsequently decided to impair the full value of its Russian business and terminate the license agreements allowing Baltika Breweries to produce, market and sell Carlsberg’s brands.
As part of the agreement, the parties will settle all outstanding legal disputes, including IP rights issues.
