“We remain confident that the steps we are taking will ensure a continued commercially and financially strong Carlsberg, including after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the situation across markets has become increasingly volatile and unpredictable. In addition, we have very recently seen further government intervention in some key markets, resulting in full or partial lock-downs.
Across the Group, cost reductions have been significant as all markets and functions have adapted to the uncertain and rapidly changing environment. Nevertheless, due to the significantly increased uncertainty related to the negative consequences of the pandemic on our business this year, the full impact on our financial and operating performance cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
As a result, we now consider it prudent to suspend our guidance for 2020. We will provide updates to the market as our visibility into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business increases.”