Carlsberg has defended its conduct in Cambodia after the new Danish documentary Cambodian Beer Dreams raised questions about the beer industry’s practices in the country.
In a statement by João Abecasis, Executive Vice President for Carlsberg Asia, the company said it had taken several steps in recent years to promote more responsible business practices in Cambodia. Carlsberg said it ended its use of “under-the-lid” prize promotions in 2022 and continues to push for a national ban on such campaigns, which have been widely used to boost beer sales.
The brewer also said it has called for an official legal purchase age for alcohol in Cambodia. While Cambodia has no national legal drinking age, Carlsberg said it does not market alcohol to anyone under 18 and has launched responsible drinking campaigns both online and on the ground.
Carlsberg further said it has improved conditions for brand promoters by introducing higher wages, annual pay increases, parental leave, harassment reporting systems, safety training and legal assistance. The company added that it has reduced the use of brand promoters and wants common standards introduced across the Cambodian beer market.
Carlsberg took full control of Cambrew in 2019 and said it now holds well below 10 per cent of Cambodia’s beer market. Referring indirectly to the issues raised in Cambodian Beer Dreams, the company said stronger national regulation is needed and that it wants to help push the industry in a more ethical direction.
