Published: 16 January 2014

Listed beverages maker Delta Corporation (Delta) says its lager beer volumes remain depressed, slumping 25% if compared to the 2012 quarter and 15% for the nine months to December 2013.

The brewer - about 40% owned by South Africa-based SABMiller - said consumer demand has continued to be subdued as the country is witnessing a significant slowdown in consumer spending and economic activity, "a trend that has been evident since the beginning of the calendar year and particularly pronounced in the traditional holiday peak period."

It said total beverage volumes was flat against the same period last year and up 2% for the nine months.

Sparkling beverages were down 6% and 2% for both the quarter and 9 months respectively.

Sorghum beer registered significant growth of 18% for the quarter while 12 was for the 9 months driven by the new Chibuku Super and the move by consumers to value product offerings.

The group's Maheu brand volumes went up by 23 and 42 percent for both the quarter and nine months respectively.

"Revenue is down 3% for the quarter and up 2% for the 9 months.

The decline in volumes lead to a 3% decline in revenue for the quarter but revenues were marginally up 2% for the nine months.
- businessdaily

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