E-Malt.com News article: Uganda: Nile Breweries grows by 4% in three years, plans to invest $20 million in 2008

Nile Breweries volumes grew 4% in the past three years, according to the SABMiller preliminary results released last week in Johannesburg, New Vision published May 21.

SABMiller Plc, the Nile Breweries parent company, is one of the world’s leading brewers with operations and distribution agreements in over 60 countries across six continents.

Nile Breweries produces Nile Special, Club Pilsner, Eagle, Extra and Chairman brands.

SABMiller chairman Meyer Kahn said: “This strong outturn to the year is particularly pleasing given the scale of the challenge we faced at its outset, with exceptional prior year comparatives, rising input costs and an increasingly competitive environment in many of our markets.”

He added: “It is a clear testament to the strength of our brands and the group’s operational capacity that we have been able to deliver such a good performance.”

Mark Bowman, the SABMiller Africa and Asia managing director, lamented that after growth in recent years, volumes for Eagle brands declined following increase in tax.

The Government last year slapped an excise duty of 30% on Eagle brands.
“Our mainstream brands (Nile Special and Club) grew in mid-double digits. The market continues to grow and has nearly doubled in the last four years, driven by the success of our portfolio extensions,” Bowman said.

He disclosed that the group would invest over $20m in the brewing house and packing line this financial year.

“This will give us chance to compete aggressively in the market,” he said.


22 May, 2008