Central America: FIFCO shareholders approve offload of beverage and retail operations to Heineken

The shareholders of FIFCO have authorised the offload of its beverage and retail operations in Central America to Heineken, Global Drinks Intel reported on October 8.

The US$3.2bn deal, which covers FIFCO’s assets in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Mexico, was announced last month. The completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to occur in the first half of 2026.

Building on a partnership between the two companies dating back to 1986, FIFCO will sell its 75% stake in Costa Rica’s Distribuidora La Florida — which runs beverage operations and around 300 retail outlets — as well as its 75% share in Nicaragua Brewing Holding (owner of 49.85% of Compañía Cervecera de Nicaragua) and its 25% interest in Heineken Panama. Heineken will also acquire FIFCO’s “beyond beer” business in Mexico and its operations in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

Following completion, Heineken and its affiliates will own 100% of Distribuidora La Florida, Heineken Panama and FIFCO Mexico, and 49.85% of Compañía Cervecera de Nicaragua. FIFCO said it is exploring “strategic alternatives” for its US unit.

Last month, Heineken began the search for a new regional lead in the Americas as Marc Busain prepared his departure to Lipton Teas & Infusions, where he took on the CEO role from 1 October.