Sapporo Holdings Ltd. suspended exports of its Pokka brand beverages to the Middle East due to escalating tensions linked to Iran, which raised concerns about demand in the region. The suspension was announced in Sapporo’s first-quarter financial report released on May 14, 2026 [1, 2].
Pokka is Sapporo’s flagship soft-drinks label with a strong market presence across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Its product range includes tea, coffee, and sports drinks [2]. Sapporo said the suspension was a precaution amid uncertainty over the geopolitical situation and its effect on sales.
The company also reported that rising raw material costs, including aluminum, cut its first-quarter profit by about ¥1 billion ($6.33 million) [1, 2]. Despite these pressures, the Middle East suspension had only a modest impact on overall consolidated results for the quarter [2].
Sapporo posted a net loss of ¥878 million in the first quarter, significantly narrowed from a ¥4.22 billion loss a year earlier [2]. Operating income forecasts for the full year were maintained at ¥6 billion. This is well below analyst expectations of ¥17.7 billion, reflecting continued cost and geopolitical challenges [2].
On the day of the earnings announcement, Sapporo’s shares fell as much as 12% in Tokyo, marking their largest drop since March 2011. The stock closed down 9.7% at ¥1,516.5 [2].
The company expects to resume shipments of Pokka beverages to the Middle East in October 2026 or later but described the outlook as uncertain [2].
