| Fri 28 Jul 2006, 12:53 | | SABMiller plc - AGM Trading Statement |
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SAB
SOSAB
SABMiller plc - AGM Trading Statement
JSEALPHA CODE: SAB
ISSUER CODE: SOSAB
ISIN CODE: GB0004835483
Ref 31/2006
SABMiller plc AGM Trading Statement
London and Johannesburg, 28 July 2006. At the Annual General Meeting of
SABMiller plc (SABMiller) today, Graham Mackay, chief executive, commented
on the group"s performance for the three months ended 30 June 2006. The
calculation of the organic growth rates included below excludes volumes for
South America which became part of the group in October 2005.
Mr Mackay said: "The group continues to make progress, in line with
expectations at the time of our preliminary results announcement in May of
this year, with first quarter organic lager volumes for the group growing by
7%.
"In South Africa, lager volumes were up 3%, benefiting from the inclusion of
an Easter trading period in the first quarter, and our premium brand
portfolio continues to show strong growth. Soft drink volumes grew by some
4%.
"In South America, the integration and investment programmes are proceeding
as planned. Buoyant trading conditions were experienced across the region
and excellent volume performances were recorded by all of our operations,
leading to a 9% growth in lager volumes
over the prior year on a pro forma basis. In Peru, the market continues to
grow strongly in a competitive pricing environment. Both soft drink and
beer volumes in Central America were up by 9%, reflecting effective sales
and marketing activities.
"Our Europe business once again performed strongly and produced good results
with organic lager volume growth of 6% reflecting the benefits of increased
marketing investment and enhanced sales initiatives, particularly in Poland
and Russia.
"In North America, Miller"s US domestic sales to retailers (STRs) decreased
by 2.4% compared to the prior year, and Miller Lite brand volumes were
level. The trading environment remains highly competitive.
"The Africa & Asia business achieved excellent organic growth of some 19% in
lager volumes, with China continuing to record strong growth across all
regions. In Africa (excluding Zimbabwe), lager volumes grew by almost 4%,
with good performances in Mozambique and Uganda offset somewhat by Botswana,
where disposable incomes remain under pressure.
Ends
Notes to editors:
SABMiller plc is one of the world"s largest brewers with brewing interests
or distribution agreements in over 60 countries across five continents. The
group"s brands include premium international beers such as Miller Genuine
Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as an exceptional
range of market leading local brands. Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is
also one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world.
In the year ended 31 March 2006, the group reported US$15,307 million in
revenue and profit before tax of $2,453 million. SABMiller plc is listed on
the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.
This announcement is available on the company website: www.sabmiller.com
High resolution images are available for the media to view and download free
of charge from: www.vismedia.co.uk
Enquiries:
SABMiller plc
Tel: +44 20 7659 0100
Sue Clark Director of Corporate Affairs Tel: +44 20 7659 0184
Gary Leibowitz Senior Vice President, Tel: +44 20 7659 0119
Investor Relations
Nigel Head of Media Relations Tel: +44 7799 894265
Fairbrass
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the
solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire securities of SABMiller plc (the
"Company") or any of its affiliates in any jurisdiction or an inducement to
enter into investment activity.
This document includes "forward-looking statements". These statements may
contain the words "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "expect"
and words of similar meaning. All statements other than statements of
historical facts included in this announcement, including, without
limitation, those regarding the Company"s financial position, business
strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations
(including development plans and objectives relating to the Company"s
products and services) are forward-looking statements. These forward-
looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based on numerous
assumptions regarding the Company"s present and future business strategies
and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. These
forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement.
The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate
any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this
announcement to reflect any change in the Company"s expectations with regard
thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any
such statement is based.
Any information contained in this announcement on the price at which the
Company"s securities have been bought or sold in the past, or on the yield
on such securities, should not be relied upon as a guide to future
performance.
Date: 28/07/2006 12:54:00 PM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
