News

South African Breweries plc trading update for the five months ended 31 August 2001

18 September 2001

Performance continues in line with expectations

London, 18 September 2001. Ahead of an analysts' site visit to its South African and African operations, Graham Mackay, chief executive of SAB plc, today commented on the company’s performance for the five months ended 31 August 2001.

Mr. Mackay said: "Overall, the Group's financial performance continued in line with our expectations. Pressure on Beer South Africa’s volume remains but this is lessening, and cumulative volume after the five months ended 31 August is some 1% down on prior year. However, SABI Europe has seen volume growth in its key markets of Poland, Czech Republic and Russia following an improvement in the weather over the past two months. SABI Africa has seen better performances from its important markets of Tanzania, Botswana and Mozambique, and in China our business continues to develop despite increasing competition.

Our soft drinks business in South Africa, ABI, has also increased its volumes, whilst the Hotels and Gaming Division performed satisfactorily in difficult trading conditions. “

- ends -

Further Enquiries:

Nick Chaloner
Director of Communications
+44 7880 502755

Anna Miller Salzman
Head of Investor Relations
+44 7973 837070

Ciaran Baker
Head of Corporate Communications
+44 7979 954493

Back to news index