Carlsberg expands PepsiCo bottling partnership to Nordics and Baltics
Carlsberg expands PepsiCo partnership to cover Nordics and Baltics, strengthening its European bottling footprint and unlocking new growth opportunities.
DENMARK – Carlsberg Group has announced the expansion of its long-standing strategic partnership with PepsiCo, securing rights to become the PepsiCo bottler in Denmark, Finland, and the Baltic states starting January 1, 2029.
The new agreement extends a collaboration that has already spanned more than 25 years in Sweden and Norway.
With the addition of Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Carlsberg will now cover all Nordic markets alongside the Baltics, significantly strengthening its regional footprint.
Under the deal, Carlsberg will take over the production, sale, and distribution of PepsiCo’s beverage portfolio in the five new markets. This expansion will bring the total number of markets where Carlsberg holds PepsiCo bottling rights to 14, spanning Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Carlsberg Group CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen described the agreement as a major milestone for both companies. “We’re very pleased that we’ll become the sole PepsiCo bottler in the Nordics and the Baltics. This is an exciting move, solidifying our longstanding strategic partnership with PepsiCo,” he said.
He added, “The growth prospects and value creation opportunities from a business model which combines the Carlsberg and PepsiCo beverage portfolios are truly significant. Carlsberg and PepsiCo have built a strong partnership across multiple markets in Europe and Asia over many years.”
The expansion will take effect following the expiration of Carlsberg’s existing bottling agreements with The Coca-Cola Company in Denmark and Finland, which are set to end on December 31, 2028.
PepsiCo International Beverages CEO Eugene Willemsen also welcomed the move, highlighting its strategic importance. “We’re pleased to further strengthen our collaboration with Carlsberg by adding five markets in January 2029. The expanded Carlsberg partnership announced today will provide exciting new growth opportunities for both parties,” he said.
Beyond commercial expansion, Carlsberg continues to strengthen its sustainability initiatives. The company recently entered the third phase of its partnership with WWF Denmark, focusing on wetland restoration and water stewardship.
Between 2026 and 2028, the partnership will support projects in Nepal, China’s Yellow River basin, and Laos, aiming to restore degraded ecosystems and improve water availability in vulnerable regions.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
