IRELAND: C&C Group stops cider volume rot, revenue slips

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 27 August 2009

A summer recovery has helped C&C group to halt a volume sales rot in its cider division, but the group's net sales still fell for the first five months of its fiscal year.

Cider volumes for the five months to the end of July rose by 3%, after falling 4% in the four months to the end of June, C&C Group said in a trading update today (27 August).

But, net sales for the division, which consists of Magners in the UK and Bulmers in Ireland, still fell by 4% for the five-month period, compared to the same period of 2008.

Part of the difference between volume and value can be attributed to C&C's 10% price cut on Bulmers, announced in May. Early summer sunshine is also likely to have boosted volume sales.

Total C&C sales for the five months fell 5% on a constant currency basis, dragged down further by a 22% slide in sales at the firm's spirits and liqueurs business, which includes Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey and Carolans Irish Cream liqueur.

The group, which today announced it would buy the Irish, Scottish and Northern Irish business of Anheuser-Busch InBev, reaffirmed that full-year operating profits will be at the top end of the previously stated guidance range of EUR77m (US$110m) to EUR82m.

Sectors: Beer & cider

Companies: C&C Group, Anheuser-Busch, InBev