Zambia: SABMiller’s subsidiary records 12% growth in lager volumes this year

SABMiller Africa Plc company managing director for Africa, Mark Bowman has said his firm has this year recorded a growth volume of 12 per cent on lager products by its subsidiaries operating in Zambia, Times of Zambia reported.

Outlining the performance of the company’s subsidiaries throughout Africa in SABMiller’s annual report for 2013, Mr Bowman said a lager volume growth of 12 per cent was achieved through improved availability and an improved economic environment in Zambia.

He said the lager volumes grew by six per cent despite cycling strong comparative growth of 14 per cent in the prior year.

Mr Bowman said constraints that had previously limited growth in Zambia had now been alleviated with the commissioning of a new brew house in Ndola in November 2012.

SABMiller Africa operates three subsidiaries in Zambia namely, Zambian Breweries Plc (ZB), National Breweries Plc (NB) for liquor and Heinrich Syndicate Limited, which produces the Maheu beverage.

“Lager volume growth of 12 per cent was achieved through improved availability and an improved economic environment.

“The premium portfolio benefited from strong growth of Castle Lite, while Castle Lager and Mosi, performed well in the mainstream segment,” Mr Bowman said.

“The Castle brand family continued to deliver robust growth, with the premium offering, Castle Lite, growing by 43 per cent for the year.”

30 August, 2013