SABMiller Plc, the brewer that’s due to be bought by rival Anheuser-Busch InBev NV later this year, reported a gain in fourth-quarter beer shipments, led by growth in Africa and Latin America.
Organic lager volume rose 3 per cent in the three months ended 31 March, London-based SABMiller said in a statement Thursday. Net producer revenue, a measure that excludes excise taxes, increased 5 per cent for the year.
The maker of Blue Moon wheat ale and Pilsner Urquell lager is cutting costs as it awaits approval from regulators for its takeover by Leuven, Belgium-based AB InBev. SABMiller’s suitor is selling the company’s so-called premium brands Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime in Europe to satisfy antitrust concern as it seeks to close the deal in the second half.
"We have had a strong year and increased momentum in the second half across all our regions notwithstanding economic volatility and the potential distraction of the AB InBev offer," Chief Executive Officer Alan Clark said in the statement.
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