Ireland: Heineken announced on February 22 its Irish sales volumes held up last year in a declining beer market. The drinks group said sales volumes were up 0.5% on 2003, though the overall beer market fell by more than 6%. Heineken Ireland sales were EUR 311m, up 2%, while market share rose from 19% to 19.4%. It said sales of Coors Light and Amstel showed particularly strong growth.

The company said pub sales volumes were 8.7% lower, while off-licence sales were up 7%. 'The drinks industry is going through a particularly difficult time with changing consumer and societal needs and demands,' said Nico Vervelde, managing director of Heineken Ireland.

Meanwhile, Heineken Ireland's Dutch parent Heineken International reported that its profits fell 33% last year to EUR 537m, though the figure was in line with forecasts.

Net profit suffered from adverse currency movements, one-off items including a EUR 190m write-down on the group's stake in Brazilian brewer Kaiser, and higher goodwill amortisation.

Looking ahead to 2005, Heineken said it expected further organic growth, but that it 'will not exceed mid-single digits' taking into account increased spending on marketing and the continued impact of currency movements.

23 February, 2005