The trade group Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said it was “increasingly concerned” that small businesses will lose out as a result of the Carlsberg acquisition of Marston’s Brewery, the British brewery, pub and hotel operator.
The British Competition and Markets Authority recently ruled that the proposed venture would not have an adverse effect on competition in the UK brewery industry, fueling anxiety among smaller beer producers that they risk being squeezed out of the market.
“While we have seen an increase in the number of small brewers producing some great and varied beers, these brewers account for less than 6% of the total market and are therefore unable to provide effective competition,” chairman Nik Antona said in a Just Drinks article. “Many of these smaller brands cannot access the pub market due to the dominance of supply and distribution agreements operated by pub companies and global suppliers.”
Full article here.