Brewer SABMiller annual sales climb 7%

Britain-based brewer SABMiller said on Thursday that revenues jumped higher in the group's 2012/2013 financial year, lifted by particularly strong demand in India. Group revenues rose 7.0 percent in the 12 months to the end of March on a constant currency basis, SABMiller said in a trading update. SABMiller, which purchased Australian beer giant Foster's in 2011, said that its overall financial performance was in line with expectations. Including the impact of the Foster's deal and other acquisitions and disposals, and after adverse currency translation effects, revenues jumped by 10 percent, it added. The maker of Grolsch and Miller Lite also revealed that annual lager volumes rose by 3.0 percent. Volumes surged by a hefty 20 percent in India, and by 5.0 percent in China. In Europe, SABMiller added that volumes were up 6.0 percent despite the challenging economic backdrop. SABMiller, which is listed in London and Johannesburg, produces other well-known beer brands including Peroni Nastro Azzuro and Pilsner Urquell.