SAB Miller volumes up 3%

By Martyn Leek, M&C Report

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Coors brewing company Sabmiller

SABMiller has recorded a 3% growth in lager volumes for the second half of its financial year - despite warning that prospects for the year are...

SABMiller has recorded a 3% growth in lager volumes for the second half of its financial year - despite warning that prospects for the year are "uncertain".

The company - which is one of the world's biggest brewers and produces Grolsch, Miller Genuine Draft and Pilsner Urquell - also achieved a 5% increase in revenue per hl at a constant exchange rate.

In a statement SAB Miller, which is listed in London and Johannesburg, said: "Financial performance for the six months was in line with the group's expectations, benefiting from generally favourable exchange rates when compared with the prior year, whilst on an underlying basis slower volumes have constrained profit growth.

"Deteriorating global economic conditions, weakening consumer demand and volatile exchange rates make the prospects for the rest of the financial year increasingly uncertain."

SABMiller said that volume growth was reported using a new definition which aligns it with group revenue with EBITDA.

That said, the company added it lager volumes grew in South America by 3% and Europe increased by 2% - following on from strong growth the previous year.

In Europe, Romania was a particular success, seeing a 24% increase thanks to Timisoreana and Ursus brands.

However in Russia and the Czech Republic volumes were down by 4% and 5% respectively.

In the US, Miller's Brewing Company's domestic sales to retailers (STRs) were down by 2%. The Miller Brewing Company and the Coors Brewing Company combined their US and Puerto Rico operations with effect from 1 July 2008 to form MillerCoors.

In the three months to 30 September, MillerCoors' domestic US volume STRs grew by 0.7% on a trading day adjusted basis when compared to pro forma combined STRs in the comparable period of the prior year.

Coors Light brand volumes increased 6.8%, whilst Miller Lite decreased 3.6%.

SABMiller recorded a 2% growth in lager volumes in Africa and Asia.

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