Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. reported improved sales and earnings for the first quarter 2008 at its annual meeting of shareholders held in Orlando, Fla, according to its press release, April 23. Consolidated net sales increased 6.2 percent in the first quarter 2008 and earnings per share increased 6.0 percent.

“Our operations achieved solid results in the quarter, growing sales and operating income six percent over the first quarter last year,” said August A. Busch IV, president and chief executive officer of the company. “We have successfully implemented U.S. beer price increases and expect good revenue per barrel performance in 2008. Our cost reduction efforts are significantly mitigating the impact of industry-wide cost pressures. We are increasing marketing and sales support for our core beer brands, and, although U.S. beer sales-to-retailers results were below expectations, we are optimistic concerning the outlook for beer sales during the key summer selling season.” The Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of 33 cents on shares of the company’s outstanding common stock.

U.S. beer shipments-to-wholesalers increased 0.4 percent for the first quarter 2008, with import brands contributing 60 basis points to overall growth. First quarter 2008 sales-to-retailers were down 0.7 percent, and sales-to-retailers for Anheuser-Busch produced ...More Info

Asahi Breweries Ltd., Japan's biggest brewer by sales, turned to a profit in the first quarter after cutting advertising and promotion costs, Bloomberg reported April 24.

Net income was 2.6 billion yen ($25 million) in the three months through March, the company said in a statement to Tokyo's stock exchange today. It posted a loss of 1.93 billion yen a year earlier when it spent more to promote new brands as well as its flagship Super Dry brand, Japan's top-selling beer.

Asahi, like rivals Kirin Holdings Co. and Sapporo Holdings Ltd., is increasing beer prices this year because of the rising cost of brewing malt, aluminum cans and other materials. The Tokyo-based brewer is cutting production and marketing costs to boost profit as beer sales dwindle in Japan.

Sales slipped 0.3 percent to 291 billion yen in the quarter. The company raised beer prices by as much as 5 percent in March.

Japan's beer shipments fell to a record low in 2007 as the nation's population aged and younger consumers switched to wine and other beverages. Shipments by major brewers fell 0.3 percent to 496 million cases last year, according to industry figures. A case of beer in Japan is equivalent to 12.66 liters ...More Info

OAO Slavutich brewery, one of the biggest beer producers in the country, owned by Baltic Beverage Holding (BBH), has received $97.2 million from EBRD, according to the media, April 23.

The credit will be used for company's modernization and beer plant development.

"We a proud that such an important financial institution invests in Ukrainian economy despite the difficult economic climate and political instability in the country", Piotr Cernishov, BBH General Director said.

East African Breweries is to roll out a canned beer production and filling line as it seeks to increase off the bar beer sales from the current three to 12 per cent, Business Daily reported April 25.

EABL has been importing its canned beer from its sister company in Mauritius but this week’s mass marketing of the canned product means local production is necessary because of expected higher volume sales.

The company, however, did not disclose the amount of the money it will invest in the new cans production, filling and recycling plant to be located at its Ruaraka base.

The beer maker said the mass marketing of the canned beer is targeting young professions aged between 25 to 35 years, who may find convenience in having their drinks in other places apart from the bar.

The Sh80 million marketing campaign will initially target Nairobi and Mombasa cities as test cases before being launched across the country later in the year, said Patricia Ithau, EABL marketing director.

By then, the production line is expected to be functional.

EABL has partnered with Greenloop, a plastic recycling company in Kenya that will spearhead the environmental campaign to ensure cans are collected and recycled. The canned beer is ...More Info

Japan's Asahi Breweries Ltd. is considering investing in leading Vietnam beer maker Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corp., informed sources said, according to Jiji Press, April 25.

Asahi, which has been in contact with Saigon Beer, hopes to acquire a stake of 10 pct initially and increase it to around 20 pct in the future, the sources said.

The major Japanese brewer approached Saigon Beer after obtaining a tip that the Vietnamese company would release 20 pct of its outstanding shares, they said.

At a time when the Japanese beer market is shrinking, Asahi wants to boost its overseas operations particularly in such fast-growing markets as Vietnam.

But it is uncertain whether Asahi can actually obtain Saigon Beer's shares, because other major beer makers in the world are also looking to acquire a stake in the Vietnam industry leader, the sources said.

Australia has almost sold out of malting barley for export from its small drought-depleted crop much earlier than usual, a senior trader with leading east coast exporter and bulk handler GrainCorp Ltd said, according to Reuters, April 25.

Export stocks of malting barley, used to brew beer, ran out in the past few weeks, three months earlier than usual, trader Ole Houe of GrainCorp said.

"We're basically sold out," Houe said. No tonnages were left in the east coast and South Australia, with only minor amounts possibly still to be shipped from Western Australia, he said.

Stocks ran out after drought cut the size of Australia's last barley crop by around 30 percent from normal, to 5.8 million tonnes last season.

This was down from the five-year average barley crop of 8.0 million tonnes.

Houe estimates that China would have taken 400,000-500,000 tonnes of Australian malting barley this year, compared with 491,620 tonnes in 2007. This is well down from normal sales, with 1.7 million tonnes sold to the Asian giant in 2006.

Another 150,000 tonnes was shipped to Japan this year, bringing total malting barley exports to around 650,000 tonnes for the year.

China has been cutting its barley because of high prices for the grain, ...More Info

Malting barley market is in expectation, according to La Depeche, April 25. The operators follow closely the sowing campaign which seems to be good in Northern Europe. The activity is low and the prices slightly increased.

Feed barley market decreased in sympathy with the prices for wheat. In France the sowing areas increased by 4% this year. The increase concerns all the regions.

According to the Prime-Minister of Ukraine Yulia Timoshenko, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on its meeting on April 23 cancelled the quotas for grain export, AgriMarket reported April 23.

She noted, that in 2008 the Government forecasts the good yield of grain, in this connection there is no necessity in the further grain export restrictions.

The CWB today released its latest monthly Pool Return Outlook (PRO) for Pool B feed barley for the 2007-08 crop year, in a press release, April 24. Projected feed barley returns are unchanged from March due to the advanced nature of sales in Pool B. International prices have decreased over the past month due to improving new-crop prospects.

Feed barley

Pool A -The feed barley PRO remains unchanged from last month. Increased global supplies of barley are expected in 2008-09, which should pressure new crop values. New-crop prospects are very favourable in the European Union and the Black Sea region. Tightness in the U.S. corn balance is very supportive for corn prices and will also support feed grain prices, including those for barley.

Malting barley

Overall market fundamentals remain positive due to low stocks of available malting barley. However, demand in China has been weaker than expected, which has negatively impacted the offshore price for designated barley. Strong demand from the U.S. market has partially offset the lack of Chinese activity. Increased new-crop supplies from Europe and Australia are expected in the upcoming year, while demand from major importing regions should remain strong. Good quality crops must be realized in both Europe and North ...More Info

Silvia E. GERMÁN Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria La Estanzuela, Colonia, Uruguay, South America

ABSTRACT
The annual average area sown with barley (Hordeum vulgare) in South America during 1999–2003 was 795 000 ha. In Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, two-rowed spring cultivars are used mostly for malt production. Research has been developed in private malting companies and official institutions supported by the industry. In Argentina, tolerance to drought and heat stress during grain filling are important in drier areas. Yield and malt extract had been improved in cultivars released from 1940 to 1998. In Brazil, progress in grain yield, grain size, malting quality, early maturity, and resistance to net blotch, powdery mildew, and leaf rust has been achieved by EMBRAPA and malting companies. Higher tolerance to soil acidity and resistance to spot blotch are required. Since 1976, malting barley breeding in INIA-Chile has improved grain yield, grain size, beer production efficiency, and resistance to scald, net blotch, stripe rust, and leaf rust. Uruguay produces high quality malt exported mainly to Brazil. Malting companies have released locally bred and introduced cultivars since the early 1970’s. Initiated in 1988, INIA-Uruguay breeding program has improved yield, malting quality, and lodging and disease resistance. Fusarium head blight is a new challenge for research in Brazil and Uruguay. Information regarding malting barley production, the most important stresses in different areas of production, and breeding progress under South American conditions is provided. Keywords: Hordeum vulgare L.; plant breeding; stress conditions; Argentina; Brazil; Chile; Uruguay
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