Delta lager underperforms

Markets
SABMiller’s Zimbabwean unit, Delta’s 18% decrease in lager volumes for the year ended March 31 was the biggest drop among the group’s subsidiaries in Africa, the global beverages brewer said in a trading update.

BULAWAYO – SABMiller’s Zimbabwean unit, Delta’s 18% decrease in lager volumes for the year ended March 31 was the biggest drop among the group’s subsidiaries in Africa, the global beverages brewer said in a trading update.

Delta-beverages

The London-headquartered SABMiller owns 40% of Delta Beverages. On a quarterly basis, Delta’s lager volumes were 26% lower in the fourth quarter compared to the same period in the prior year.

Total beverage sales also slowed by 6% in the fourth quarter as consumer demand softens.

SABMiller said after Delta the second lowest volumes were recorded in Uganda which achieved a 3% decline.

In Mozambique volumes ended 2% down. The figures exclude South Africa. Positive gains were seen in Zambia, which recorded a 6% annual growth and Tanzania with a 4% increase.

Overall, the Africa region recorded a 6% lager volume growth.

The group, however, said soft drinks volume growth was 6%, buoyed by good performances in Zimbabwe, Ghana and Zambia.

– The Source