Japan: Asahi Breweries Ltd., Japans leading beer-maker, is expected to reach a 20 % increase in pretax profit to a record of more than 85 billion yen (US$813.8 million) for the fiscal year 2004 ended December 31. The major beer company's sales are forecast to creep up 2 % to slightly more than 1.43 trillion yen, according to Asia In Focus.
Asahi Breweries' group operating profit is likely to increase 15-20 % to 90-95 billion yen (US$861-$909.8 million), well above its earlier forecast of 88 billion yen thanks to cost cuts and brisk sales of soft drinks. The profit growth is due to cost-cutting efforts and brisk soft drink sales. Asahi Breweries will announce its 2004 earnings results on February 15.
E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .