SABMiller toasts sales rise as Miller brand improves

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2005

LONDON (AFP) — Britain-based brewer SABMiller reported strong third quarter sales and toasted a rise in market share for its US brand Miller despite tough trading conditions.

The group, formerly South African Breweries until it bought the Miller brand in 2002, said it continued the momentum of organic growth achieved in the first half of its financial year.

The group saw organic growth of some 5.0 percent in total lager beer sales volume during the three months to December 31, 2004, compared with the same period a year earlier.

In Europe, organic lager sales volume growth rose 6.0 percent in the third quarter, aided by strong performances from Poland, Russia and Romania, which more than offset weakness in Italy, Hungary and Slovakia, the group said.

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