SUN InBev is closing its brewery in the Irkutsk Region city of Angarsk due to the difficult situation on the market. SUN InBev said that is halting operations at the Angarsk brewery and redistributing current production volumes to its other breweries. Given the ongoing general decline of the beer market the company must act and take the necessary steps to maintain its business in Russia.

The company said the brewery is being closed for economic reasons. Legislative restrictions have been introduced on the beer market, and in the period from 2009 through 2014 excise rates on beer have soared sixfold, from RUB 3 to RUB 18 per liter. As a result, the beer market in Russia already contracted by more than 25% in 2008-2013, and the industry's profitability has fallen by more than 40%.

The volume produced in Angarsk will be redistributed to the company's other breweries with a view to increasing the efficiency of production and logistics. The Angarsk brewery will remain the property of SUN InBev, and future decisions on its fate will be made depending on the economic situation in the country and the industry, as well as taking into account changes in legislation and tax policy.