The Belgian brewer Interbrew has said that during the first 11 months of 2003, it has realised organic volume growth of 6.2%.
The company said that Western European volume growth was driven in particular by the UK and Germany. Volume performance in the Americas meanwhile was flat with growth in Cuba and Canada off-set by a decline in imports in the US, in line with the market in that specific segment. In the emerging markets volume growth continued, led by Russia and the Ukraine.
Interbrew said it continues to expect that it will achieve organic net turnover and operating profit growth for 2003 broadly in line with the first nine months.
The company expects earnings per share for 2003 to be modestly lower than 2002’s pre-restructuring earnings per share of €1.51, due primarily to further weakening of the company’s main trading currencies over the fourth quarter.
