Slovakia: In spite of higher excise taxes on beer, 2003 saw record sales from the Saris Brewery in Slovakia, its parent company, SABMiller plc. reported on January 28. Total volumes of 1.3 million hectolitres of beer represents an increase of 4.3% over the previous year. This is the highest sales volume figure in the 36 year history of the Saris brewery. Saris Brewery, a.s. - with its 26 % share of the Slovak beer market - is part of the Plzenský Prazdroj group, a subsidiary of SABMiller plc.

"2003 was not an easy year for the Slovak brewing industry, owing to a repeated increase in consumption taxes on beer," says Ján Cerkala, the manager of the Šariš brewery. "We are assuming that the Slovak beer market will continue to prove challenging in 2004."

Karol Ponesz, Sales Manager, said: "In spite of unfavourable conditions we succeeded in sustaining positive sales growth and exceeded last year'svolumes. Mainly owing to the long, hot summer, we reached record sales in the months of April through to July. This balanced decreases in the remainder of the year where we saw a 10% fall in August and September over the equivalent period last year."

SABMiller is one of the world's leading brewers, with a brewing presence in over 40 countries across four continents and a portfolio of strong brands and leading market shares in many of the countries in which it has brewing operations. Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world. From its entry into the Slovak market in September 1997, SABMiller has invested more than 1.4 billion SKK in new technology, technological equipment and distribution, and has became one of the biggest investors in Eastern Slovakia.

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