AB InBev, the world's largest brewer, says it still faces obstacles to selling its brands in Chilean bars and restaurants, according to Diario Financiero. Its general manager in Chile, Juan Manuel Ferrés, said CCU is not complying with the agreement it signed with the Fiscalía Nacional Económica (FNE), the agency that investigates violations of free competition. "We still see the barriers", he said.
The dispute began in 2024, when AB InBev sued CCU over restrictions in that channel. Later, CCU and the FNE reached an agreement with measures to correct them. "Points were set that have to be met, and the reality is that, if those points were met, everything should start to happen. It's just that we believe they are not being met", Ferrés said. The article does not include CCU's side.
Despite that agreement, the case is still pending before the Tribunal de Defensa de la Libre Competencia (TDLC), Chile's competition court. According to Ferrés, a monitor appointed by the FNE is gathering information on whether the measures are being met. The executive acknowledged that the changes take time, but called for speeding up the process.
The complaint points to something you may notice when looking at a bar's menu. Ferrés explained that some venues have contracts that prevent them from adding AB InBev products. "It's not like you walk in, order one of our beers, and it's everywhere", he said. In supermarkets and liquor stores, by contrast, he says the company does not face those restrictions.
The stakes are high. By its own figures, AB InBev holds one third of the Chilean beer market. Globally, the company posted revenue of US$ 31,927 million in the first half of 2026. It did not provide figures for Chile, but in South America it sold US$ 2,961 million between April and June, almost 8% more than in the same period of the previous year, with Ebitda (operating earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation) 14.3% higher. The region contributes about 20% of its revenue.
While it fights for space in bars, the company is adjusting its offering to a consumer who has changed. Some people look for beers without alcohol, with fewer calories or fewer carbohydrates, while others stay loyal to their usual beer. Ferrés, a former footballer in Uruguay, sums it up with an image from the pitch: "You have to be ambidextrous".
Today more than 90% of its portfolio is still traditional beer. But Ferrés estimates that low- or no-alcohol options could exceed 10%, as already happens in countries that started earlier with that segment. In the last two years the company launched four zero-alcohol beers, as well as Michelob Ultra and Stella Pure Gold, aimed at those who prefer lighter options.
The executive sees moderation as an advantage over other higher-proof alcoholic drinks. "That's where beer comes out the winner", he said. With the low-calorie versions, he added, the company reaches consumers it did not reach before.
Price also matters. "It's true that consumers are very conscious of what they spend", Ferrés acknowledged. That is why the strategy mixes different packaging, brands and prices, from premium beers to cheaper alternatives.
In distribution, AB InBev renewed at the end of 2025 its alliance with Coca-Cola Andina and Embonor, in place since November 2020. Ferrés said more launches are coming, although he did not give details on brands or quantities.
