Heineken, the world’s second largest-brewer, saw its global shipments rise 4.3 per cent in the first quarter of the year with significant growth in Asia.
Profits fell to €260 million from €293 million a year earlier on a reported basis.
Consolidated beer volume was up by 11.3 per cent in the company’s Asia Pacific unit. In Vietnam, beer volume was up double digit, driven by the strong performance of the Tiger brand and favourable timing of the Vietnamese New Year. However, in Indonesia beer volume was down double digit due to tourism disruption following the volcanic eruption in Bali last year.
Heineken – which owns brands such as Birra Moretti, Amstel and Cruzcampo – saw its shipments decline in Europe by 1.7 per cent which it put down to the cold weather.
In its Americas division, beer volumes grew 6.8 per cent with the Tecate, Dos Equis and Heineken all performing strongly in Mexico.
