Beer shipments by Japan's five major breweries rose 0.2 % in April, the first gain in eight months, as consumers stocked up on low-malt products ahead of a tax increase, Bloomberg reported.

Total shipments by Asahi Breweries Ltd., Kirin Brewery Co., Sapporo Breweries Ltd., Suntory Ltd. and Orion Breweries Ltd. rose to 47.64 million cases from 47.53 million cases, according to separate statements released by the Brewers Association of Japan and the Brewers Council of Happoshu Taxation.

Shipments of beer, excluding those of low-malt brews, fell 18.3 percent, while shipments of low-malt products, which are cheaper than conventional beer, surged 32.4 percent, the associations said.

Japan on May 1 raised the tax on ``happoshu'' low-malt beer, which is cheaper than regular brews.

16 May, 2003