Lager volumes increased by 2% in the fourth quarter, reflecting a strong performance led by South Africa and a recovery in volume growth in China.

Alan Clark, chief executive of SABMiller, said in a company statement: “Our topline performance was strong in the final quarter, driven by double digit revenue growth in Africa and sustained growth in Latin America.

“Asia Pacific also returned to growth during the last three months of the year as lager volumes in China returned to growth.”

The maker of brands like Grolsch, Peroni and Miller Genuine Draft has heavily invested in emerging markets like the Indian sub-continent and Asia in recent years.

The fourth-quarter results mean in the year ending 31 March 2014 the company sold 318 million hectolitres of lager, soft drinks and other alcoholic beverages, generating net revenue of US$26.7 billion.

“In the final quarter our revenues grew by 6%, repeating the strength of the first quarter, while full year revenue growth of 4% was driven by revenue per hectolitre growth in all regions,” said Clark.

Source | The Drinks Business.