THE BREWING company Heineken Slovakia halted beer production in its Martin brewery due to declining beer sales, according to the news wire SITA and Slovak Spectator. Beer consumption fell 14.5 % year-on-year in September due to the falling purchasing power of Slovak consumers and an increase of excise tax on beer.

The company will provide job search assistance to its 121 employees. The production of Martiner brand beer, originally brewed in Martin, will be transferred to a Heineken-owned brewery in the town of Nitra.

Heineken Slovakia is a part of Heineken's international brewery chain. Heineken Slovakia operates breweries in Hurbanovo, Nitra, and Rimavská Sobota. Its beer portfolio includes the brands of Zlatý Bažant, Corgoò, Gemer, Martiner, Kelt, Amstel, Murphy's, Desperados, and Heineken.

07 November, 2003