Dutch brewer Heineken will acquire the beverage and retail operations of Costa Rican company Florida Ice and Farm Company (FIFCO) for USD 3.2 billion . The acquisition will strengthen Heineken’s position in Central America, the company said in a press release today
Acquisition Includes Iconic Beers and PepsiCo Licenses
Through the acquisition, Heineken will gain the century-old Costa Rican beer Imperial, as well as a soft drinks manufacturing business and a license to bottle PepsiCo beverages. The deal comes a few months after Heineken warned that sales volumes for the remainder of the year would be lower than expected and decided not to raise its profit outlook for this year, citing market instability and U.S. tariffs.
Under the agreement, the world’s second-largest brewer will buy the remaining 75% stake in Distribuidora La Florida, FIFCO’s beverage, food and retail division, which operates more than 300 outlets in Costa Rica. It also has outlets in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The deal also includes the purchase of a 75% stake in Nicaragua Brewing Holding, a 25% stake in Heineken Panama, and ownership of FIFCO’s non-beer operations in Mexico.
Financial Impact and Historical Cooperation with FIFCO
The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026 and will have an immediate positive impact on operating margin and earnings per share excluding extraordinary items, the company said. Heineken also expects its debt to increase by EUR 3.2 billion (CZK 77.6 billion) after the deal closes. Heineken began working with FIFCO in 1986 and in 2002 bought a 25% stake in Distribuidora La Florida. In 2024, Distribuidora La Florida’s net revenue excluding FIFCO USA was USD 1.13 billion, with an operating profit of USD 278 million.
FIFCO produces beer, wine, soft drinks and food. It has five manufacturing plants and 13 distribution centers across Central America, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and the United States. It exports to more than ten countries, Reuters reported. Heineken is the world’s second-largest beer producer after U.S. competitor Anheuser-Busch InBev. In addition to its flagship brand, it also owns Amstel, Desperados, Tiger and Strongbow cider. The company operates in the Czech Republic as well, where Heineken Czech Republic has long been the third-largest brewer after Plzeňský Prazdroj and Pivovary Staropramen. It owns the Starobrno, Krušovice Royal Brewery and Velké Březno breweries.
Source: ČTK
