Peru: The Peruvian drinks company, Union de Cervecerias Peruanas Backus & Johnston (Backus), announced on February 14 an increase in Q4 sales and profit. Backus said its net income for the forth quarte to 31 December reached PEN93.6m (US$29.99m) versus PEN71.2m in the corresponding quarter in 2003. Total gross revenue increased as well, reaching PEN325.4m from PEN305.5m during the same period in 2003.

However, net income for the full year decreased to PEN246.2m from PEN263.3m in 2003, as increased sales volumes were offset by higher taxes, Backus said. Sales in 2004 were PEN1.10bn, down slightly from 2003’s PEN1.11bn.

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