US: Anheuser-Busch sees 2007 US volumes rise

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 7 January 2008

Anheuser-Busch has reported a lift in shipment volumes in the US for 2007.

The brewer said today (7 January) that shipments to US wholesalers last year were up by 2% on 2006, coming in at 104.4m barrels. A-B credited the increase to its moves to "broaden the company's beer portfolio, including the addition of InBev European brands".

As wholesaler sales-to-retailers grew by 1.3%, acquired and import brands contributed 170 basis points of growth to shipments and 160 points to wholesaler sales-to-retailers for the full year.

"Our expanded beer portfolio along with our enhanced marketing and sales strategies to accelerate core beer sales position Anheuser-Busch for growth in volume and earnings in 2008," said company president and CEO, August Busch.

A-B is scheduled to provide worldwide beer volume and full-year results on 31 January.

From February last year, A-B began importing, selling, promoting and distributing Stella Artois, Beck's, Bass Pale Ale, Hoegaarden, Leffe and other selected InBev brands in the US. InBev's Canadian brands, including Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light, as well as Brahma, were not included in the agreement, and continue to be marketed and sold by InBev USA.

Sectors: Beer & cider

Companies: Anheuser-Busch, InBev, Brahma