SABMiller boosted by lager sales

LONDON – Strong sales of lager in Africa and Asia helped SABMiller to a strong performance in the five months to end-August, the global brewer said yesterday, adding profits grew across its businesses.

But the brewer said it expected the rate of sales growth of its low-calorie Miller Lite beer to slow as it comes up against tough comparative figures and the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets like Atkins level off. Miller Lite is key to the turnaround strategy at the firm’s US unit, where the beer accounts for around two-thirds of profits.The firm hopes to arrest a long-term decline at Miller, the second-biggest brewer in the United States, as its domestic market share slips.Wyman said although the move towards the Atkins diet had levelled off, Miller Lite would continue to benefit from a more health-conscious drinking public.The London-based maker of beers including Castle and Peroni said the total volume of lager sold, stripping out the effect of any acquisitions, rose by over four per cent in the five months to end-August.-Nampa-ReutersMiller Lite is key to the turnaround strategy at the firm’s US unit, where the beer accounts for around two-thirds of profits.The firm hopes to arrest a long-term decline at Miller, the second-biggest brewer in the United States, as its domestic market share slips.Wyman said although the move towards the Atkins diet had levelled off, Miller Lite would continue to benefit from a more health-conscious drinking public.The London-based maker of beers including Castle and Peroni said the total volume of lager sold, stripping out the effect of any acquisitions, rose by over four per cent in the five months to end-August.-Nampa-Reuters