Plzeňský Prazdroj faces antitrust probe over restaurant beer sales

The Office for the Protection of Competition (ÚOHS) recently conducted an unannounced local investigation at Plzeňský Prazdroj. The antitrust authority is examining potential abuse of a dominant position regarding the sale of beer in the 'on-trade' sector, which includes restaurants, pubs, and other gastronomic establishments.

While the ÚOHS did not officially name the company in its press release, Plzeňský Prazdroj confirmed that the inspection took place at its premises. The company stated it cooperated fully with the inspectors but expressed serious doubts regarding the legality and proportionality of the investigation. Consequently, the brewer intends to use available legal means to defend its rights.

Plzeňský Prazdroj, owned by the Japanese group Asahi since 2017, is the largest brewing group in the Czech Republic, holding approximately 45 percent of the domestic market. The ÚOHS noted that the execution of a local investigation does not inherently imply that illegal activity occurred or that administrative proceedings and sanctions will follow.