UK: SABMiller volumes decline in second quarter

Leading global brewer SABMiller has reported its second quarter financials, with beer volumes declining by 3%.

SABMiller said overall revenues rose 3% in the three months to the end of September, helped primarily by soft drinks. While total volumes were down 1%, soft drinks sales (which account for 20% of SABMiller's sales volumes)  bucked the trend with a 9% rise.

Overall drinks volume in Asia Pacific fell 8% in the second quarter, with beer volumes in China  down “markedly" during July and August because of poor weather in some regions, Reuters reports.

While total drinks volumes rose rose 5% in Latin America and 4% in Africa in the second quarter, they declined 2% in North America and 1% in Europe.

Source: Reuters