Growth for brand Heineken in key markets
Brazil, South Africa, Russia, Nigeria, Italy, Mexico and Vietnam in particular all contributed to growth; which Heineken says more than offset lower volumes in the US, the Netherlands and China.
Originating as a 19th century local beer in Amsterdam, brand Heineken is now sold in more than 170 countries. It has also recently been rolling out Heineken 0.0, a non-alcoholic lager with 69 calories per 33cl bottle.
Across the company – which includes other international brands such as Amstel, Desperados, Tiger and Sol - consolidated beer volumes rose 4.3% organically, with growth in Asia Pacific, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Volumes in Europe, however, suffered from colder weather, with volumes down 1.7%; while US volumes also declined.
Regional markets
Africa, Middle East & Eastern Europe
- Consolidated beer volume grew organically by 6.1%
- Brand Heineken drove double digit volume growth in South Africa and Russia
- Beer volume up double digit in Egypt thanks to an increase in tourism
- Volume declines in Nigeria and DRC
Americas
- Consolidated beer volume grew organically by 6.8%
- Strong performance of Tecate, Dos Equis and Heineken in Mexico, leading to high single digit beer volume growth
- In Brazil beer volume grew organically double digit against a low comparable: Heineken, Amstel, Sol and the beer portfolio acquired from Brasil Kirin continued to deliver double digit volume growth
- A declining US beer market saw Heineken USA beer volumes down high single digit
Asia Pacific
- Consolidated beer volume was up organically 11.3%
- Beer volume was up double digit in Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and New Zealand
- In Indonesia beer volume was down double digit, partly attributed to lingering disruption in tourism following the volcanic eruption in Bali at the end of 2017
Europe
- Consolidated beer volume declined organically by 1.7% due to colder weather
- Volumes down in the UK, Poland, the Netherlands, France, Spain and Austria
- Volumes grew double digit in Italy
