Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore has announced that it will stop brewing its mass market brands in the Lion City by 2027, and move production overseas to Malaysia and Vietnam.
Dutch brewer Heineken will wind down all its large-scale brewing operations in Singapore under its subsidiary Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore (APBS), as it restructures its Asia-Pacific supply chain.
The closure, announced on 24 March, will see production progressively relocated to existing regional breweries in Malaysia and Vietnam, with the full transition expected to be completed by 2027. The decision will impact approximately 130 jobs over a two-year period.
As part of their Singapore restructuring APBS had already closed down the production of their craft brand Archipelago Brewery in 2024.
APBS currently operates a major facility in Tuas, producing flagship brands such as Tiger and Heineken for domestic and export markets. They have said that their retail beer prices are not expected to rise materially in Singapore, following the transition.
Under the new structure, Singapore will shift to an import-based supply system, sourcing beer primarily from nearby countries. Imported beer already accounts for roughly half of Singapore’s beer consumption, with Malaysia, Vietnam and China among key suppliers.
Heineken says the Tuas site will be redeveloped into a regional hub focused on logistics, product development and innovation, including a pilot brewery to support small-batch experimentation and new product launches.
APBS says that it is working with Singaporean authorities and unions, including the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union, to support affected employees through appropriate severance packages, retraining and job placement initiatives.
Production volumes are expected to be absorbed by Heineken’s established brewing footprint in Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, operations fall under Heineken Malaysia Berhad, which runs a large-scale brewery in Shah Alam producing Heineken, Tiger, Guinness and a portfolio of international brands for domestic consumption and export. In Vietnam, Heineken operates one of its most significant regional platforms through Heineken Vietnam Brewery, with multiple facilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and other locations, and is a leading market player with is Tiger, Heineken and Bia Viet brands.
Vietnam has also become one of Heineken’s most profitable growth markets globally, while Malaysia offers cost-efficient, scalable production with established export capabilities bordering Singapore. The consolidation of brewing into these countries is expected to improve margin efficiency and supply chain resilience.
The restructuring follows Heineken’s earlier announcement of plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs globally, equivalent to around 7% of its workforce, amid declining beer volumes sold, which fell by 2.4% in 2025.
The company, the world’s second-largest brewer after AB InBev, has increasingly focused on cost optimisation and regional integration to sustain its growth.
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