The multinational AB InBev, through its subsidiary Cervecería Chile (CerChile), filed new accusations last week against Compañía de Cervecerías Unidas (CCU) alleging that the latter continues to maintain exclusive agreements with commercial establishments such as bars, pubs, and restaurants.
In its filing, Cervecería Chile stated that it had gathered new information suggesting its rival was violating agreements reached with the National Economic Prosecutor's Office to safeguard free competition in the on-premise beer market, specifically in bars, restaurants, and pubs. CCU holds a leading position in this market through the sale of brands such as Cristal, Royal Guard, Escudo, and Austral Patagonia, among others. Cervecería Chile competes in this sector with brands like Becker, Cusqueña, Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois.
AB InBev requested that the TDLC (Chilean Competition Tribunal) add this new information to its analysis of the complaint it filed with the tribunal. In this complaint, AB InBev alleges that CCU is engaging in practices or agreements that create exclusive sales agreements with on-premise establishments, thus preventing the sale of products from other market players.
