Brewer Heineken has announced that it expects to cut up to 6,000 jobs over the next two years, amid low beer demand and threats including rising health warnings, competition and disruption from weight-loss drugs. 

Accounting for around 7% of its overall workforce, the brewer said that the cuts would be focused on Europe and non-priority markets which offer fewer growth prospects. 

The brewer also announced lower expectations for profit growth in 2026, at around 2% to 6%, compared to 4% to 8% in 2025. 

At the same time, the brewer continues to look for a new CEO, following the resignation of Dolf van den Brink, who stepped down in January after six years at the helm. 

It has been reported that investors have expressed dissatisfaction with the company due to a drop in efficiency. 

Despite slow sales, however, Heineken’s shares are up, having risen around 7% since the end of 2025. 

Heineken is joined by Carlsberg in its job-cutting mission, which likewise said that it would cut costs, sell assets and slow production after a year of sluggish sales. 

Also citing a difficult consumer environment, Carlsberg announced a 1.4% drop in organic sales in the autumn of last year.