Kenya: EABL’s revenues remain flat in the six months to December 2017

East African Breweries Limited's (EABL) parent company Diageo has disclosed revenues for the six months to December have remained flat as political uncertainty arising from last year’s elections slowed down consumption in Kenya, Hivisasa reported on January 25.

This means that the regional brewer’s sales for the period under review will be in the region of Sh35.2 billion. EABL’s flat sales were mostly due to a dip in sales of Senator Keg, a low cost drink.

“Despite the uncertain environment in its home market, Tusker grew one per cent in East Africa supported by the ‘Here’s To Us’ campaign,” Diageo said in a statement on January 25.

“Guinness net sales increased three per cent, as it leveraged activations around the English Premier League football matches. Mainstream spirits continued to deliver strong performance driven by improved distribution and increased marketing investment.”

EABL’s mainstream beer sales have come under pressure from excise tax increases in recent years that has raised consumer prices, with Tusker, Pilsner and Guinness most affected.

The changing consumption trends have forced EABL to step up its innovation to help grow sales, occasioning the launch of brands such as Kenya Cane Coconut and Tusker Cider.

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