# Heineken antitrust dispute in Greece

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/heineken-antitrust-dispute-in-greece
> Updated: 2026-11-05T04:37:59.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

The Amsterdam District Court ordered Heineken N.V. and its Greek subsidiary, Athenian Brewery, to pay a total of €111.22 million to Macedonia Thrace Brewery (ZMT), the producer of Vergina beer. The award includes €43.3 million in damages and approximately €68 million in accumulated interest.

The ruling addresses anti-competitive practices in the Greek beer market occurring between 1998 and 2014. The court found that Athenian Brewery abused its dominant market position, which held roughly 70% market share, through exclusivity deals, loyalty rebates, and supermarket shelf-space conditions to exclude competitors. 

While Heineken has announced its intention to appeal, arguing that the compensation is based on speculative hypotheses rather than actual market conditions, the ruling is provisionally enforceable. ZMT executives characterized the decision as a “historic decision for Europe.”

## Timeline

### 2026-11-05: Heineken to pay €111 million to Vergina brewery producer

Heineken and Athenian Brewery must pay €111.2 million to Macedonia Thrace Brewery following a Dutch court ruling on anti-competitive practices occurring between 1998 and 2014.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/heineken-to-pay-111-million-to-vergina-brewery-producer

### 2026-10-21: Heineken ordered to pay €111 million to Greek brewer

A Dutch court ordered Heineken and its Greek subsidiary to pay €111.2 million to Macedonian Thrace Brewery for market abuse occurring between 1998 and 2014. Heineken plans to appeal.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/heineken-ordered-to-pay-111-million-in-greek-brewery-dispute

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Cite as: Heineken antitrust dispute in Greece. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/heineken-antitrust-dispute-in-greece