BEER sales volumes marginally grew by 0.7 per cent to 2.117 million nine-litre cases in 2015 from 2.103 million nine-litre cases in 2014.

In its annual report, Paradise Beverages (Fiji) Ltd also noted that spirits and alcoholic ready-to-drink volumes showed solid growth at 11.9 per cent, recording 0.302 million nine-litre cases in the current period, with 0.270 million nine-litre cases in the prior period.

The company noted sales revenue increases were driven by slight volume growth of 2 per cent, favourable intra-brand volume mix outcomes and price increases.

It also highlighted that the cost of sales continued to benefit from efficiencies derived from new capital investments and procurement savings achieved through leveraging Coca-Cola Amatil’s purchasing capacity.

The company said selling, distribution and administrative expenses increased by $0.8 million.

This was driven by increased investment in brand advertising, trade promotion activities, trade marketing to drive volume growth, and cartage costs to transfer finished goods from the Suva to Lautoka warehouses because of the closure of the Lautoka brewery in December 2014.

The report recorded an increase in profit before income tax by 22.3 per cent to $13.7m compared with $11.2m for the previous period.