AB InBev beer sales in Russia slip 5.6% in 2011
MOSCOW. March 11 (Interfax) - Anheuser-Busch InBev saw its beer sales contract 5.6% on the Russian market last year, a company statement says.
Sales were down 6.7% in the fourth quarter, as the beer market state of affairs remained pressured, AB InBev said. The company was able to increase its market share 0.15 of a percentage point in money terms in over the quarter with the promotion of its premium labels Bud, Hoegaarden, and Stella Artois. Market share in natural terms slipped 0.3 of a percentage point, however.
AB InBev also saw its distribution costs rise due to higher transport charges in Russia at the start of last year.
Sales were down 1.4% in Ukraine last year - 0.7% in Q4.
AB InBev has eight breweries in Russia and three in Ukraine.
The company's consolidated beer sales increased 0.5% to 34.98 billion liters, but there was an 0.1% organic contraction. Sales revenues were up 4.6% at $39 billion.
Q4 beer sales ticked up 0.4% to 85.3 billion liters, with an 0.3% organic contraction. Sales revenues rose 5.7% to $9.8 billion.
AB InBev's Russian subsidiary is OJSC Sun InBev - the brewing outfit with the second most sales in the country
