Czech brewer Plzeňský Prazdroj, which manufactures the Pilsner Urquell brand among others, has posted what it describes as 'record-breaking revenues' in its 2019 financial year.
The group saw volumes increase 1% to 7.3 million hectolitres during the period, with growth seen in both on- and off-licence channels.
Sales Performance
Plzeňský Prazdroj posted revenue of CZK 17 billion (€640 million) in the year, as well as profits after tax of CZK 4.8 billion (€180 million).
It invested CZK 1.5 billion (€56 million) in its business last year, and paid CZK 6 billion (€220 million) in direct and indirect taxes to the state treasury, making it one of the biggest contributors to the country's economy, it said.
Export sales were also strong, with the business selling 4.5 million hectolitres of beer in overseas market, with its Pilsner Urquell and Velkopopovický Kozel brands both performing strongly.
According to Grant Liversage, the brewer's general manager, new product launches in both the lager and non-alcoholic categories helped boost the company's performance and "considerably supported our domestic sales numbers. Draft Gambrinus 11 is a prime example. It has quickly gained popularity among beer lovers and joined the most sought-after lagers.
"The beer which saw the fastest growth in sales last year – of 18% – was the non-alcoholic Birell beer together with its flavoured variants."
COVID-19 Impact
Since year-end, the company said that the COVID-19 crisis has had a 'heavy impact' on all aspects of Czech society, including its business, and it has pledged more than CZK 300 million towards getting the economy back on track.
"We realise how important it is to kick-start the economy and thus help all of Czech society to start moving," said Liversage.
"That is why we decided we must invest in four key areas where we can and are able to help – in rescuing businesses in gastronomy, in our employees, in our consumers whose great experience we will keep delivering, and in communities in the surroundings of our breweries."
Plzeňský Prazdroj exported its products to more than 50 countries around the world, making it the largest exporter of Czech beer.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
