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Heineken has completed its acquisition of Costa Rica-based Fifco’s beverage and retail businesses, cementing the Dutch brewer’s position as one of the most powerful players in Central America’s drinks market as global brewers chase growth outside slower-moving Western economies.

The transaction, which received all regulatory and corporate approvals, brings Fifco’s beer, soft drinks and retail operations under Heineken’s control, adding a portfolio of leading regional brands – including Costa Rica’s flagship Imperial beer – alongside an established distribution and retail network spanning Central America and the Caribbean.

Heineken said integration will begin immediately and is expected to be completed during 2026. Fifco’s chief executive, Rolando Carvajal, will join Heineken and continue to lead the business, a move aimed at maintaining operational continuity while accelerating growth.

For Heineken, the deal strengthens control over both production and route-to-market in a region where beverage demand continues to outpace mature markets in Europe and North America.

Central America has become increasingly attractive for global brewers seeking volume growth, premiumisation opportunities and resilience against softening beer consumption in developed economies.

Chief executive Dolf van den Brink said the acquisition builds on a long-standing partnership between the two companies and will support a “fast and smooth integration”. He added that Fifco’s brands and retail footprint would reinforce Heineken’s leadership in what it described as an “attractive and growing” region.

Beyond beer, Fifco’s operations include non-alcoholic beverages and a well-established retail network, giving Heineken deeper exposure to consumer spending across multiple price points and consumption occasions. Diversified beverage portfolios and direct access to retail as key advantages in volatile trading environments.

The acquisition also aligns with Heineken’s EverGreen 2030 strategy, which prioritises premiumisation, innovation and operational efficiency.

The company said it expects to unlock both revenue and cost synergies through improved commercial execution, logistics and brewery operations, although it did not disclose updated financial targets.

Heineken said the financial impact of the deal remains in line with guidance issued in September 2025.

Fifco, founded more than a century ago, operates across Costa Rica, Central America, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and the US, and is known in the region for its strong ESG credentials, including water- and carbon-positive operations.