Heineken forecasts a return to growth this year after weak 2013
HEINEKEN expects a return to revenue growth this year, led by higher beer sales in Africa, Asia and Latin America, after reporting a slowdown in several emerging markets during 2013 yesterday.
The Dutch maker of Heineken lager as well as Sol, tequila-flavoured Desperados and Strongbow cider said yesterday that 2013 had been challenging with difficulties in eastern Europe, Latin America and Africa.
The brewer said revenue grew by just 0.1 per cent in 2014 to €21.2bn (£17.4bn) as price rises failed to offset a sharp decline in overall volumes. For 2014 Heineken said revenue should grow on a like-for-like basis excluding currency translation effects.
Heineken chief executive Jean-Francois van Boxmeer said: “2013 was a challenging year as slower economic growth in a number of key markets and adverse regulatory developments impacted performance.”