Germany’s largest grocery retailer Edeka and global brewing giant AB InBev have once again clashed over pricing negotiations. According to Inside Getränke, Edeka and its international purchasing alliance Everest are removing a total of 86 products from the shelves — including well-known brands such as Beck’s, Franziskaner, Löwenbräu, Diebels, Haake-Beck, Hasseröder, and Corona. The delistings are taking effect gradually, with some taking effect immediately and others in the coming weeks.
The conflict stems from a price increase recently implemented by AB InBev Deutschland, which Edeka considers excessive and not justified by real cost inflation. A spokesperson for Edeka told dpa that AB InBev had demanded a “drastic price increase worth several million EUR,” which the retailer rejected. Instead, Edeka decided to scale back or suspend orders for many of the brewer’s products.
While AB InBev declined to comment on the dispute, analysts note that such pricing conflicts between retailers and multinational suppliers have become increasingly common in the German market, especially as purchasing alliances like Everest gain leverage.
At the same time, AB InBev is launching a new rollout of the American brand Anheuser Busch Bud, brewed in Bremen, which will debut exclusively at Rewe before expanding to other channels (inside.beer, 22.10.2025). The company remains confident, with recent stock market gains reflecting investor optimism despite the temporary setback in German retail distribution.
Edeka has emphasized that shelves will not remain empty, assuring customers that sufficient inventory of the affected brands remains available for the time being.
