Russia & Ukraine: SUN Interbrew net sales increased by 33.4% to €528.2 million in 1H 2006

SUN Interbrew Limited, a leading brewer in Russia and Ukraine, announced September 13 its financial results for six months of 2006 ended 30 June 2006.

Net turnover in the first half 2006 was up by +33.4% vs. the first half 2005. Net profit in the first half 2006 was up by +181.6% vs. previous year. In Russia, the market growth was +6.0%, while SUN Interbrew's domestic beer volumes grew by +15.3% vs. the same period last year.

In Ukraine, the market grew +11.6%, with SUN Interbrew domestic beer volume growing +12.6%.

SUN Interbrew ended the first part of the year in both countries with record market shares: 18.6% in Russia and 36.8% in Ukraine.

Sun Interbrew’s net sales in 1H 2006 reached €528.2 million versus €396.0 million in 1H 2005 (+€132.2 million or +33.4%).

Good sales results achieved in the first half of 2006, despite the increased competition in Russia and slower market growth, confirm the strategy chosen by SUN Interbrew, the company said in its statement. SUN Interbrew believes that with the continued strong innovations introduced on the markets, such as launch Stella Artois® and Beck's® in aluminum bottle in spring, it will be able to outperform the competitors and expand our share in both countries in 2006.

SUN Interbrew Ukraine has been the undisputed leader of the Ukrainian beer market for sixth year in a row.

It is a young dynamic company, and a worthy successor to the centuries-old European brewers, remaining true to their tradition.

At the local-market level SUN Interbrew Ukraine represents InBev, the world's premier brewer, formed by the combination of Interbrew and AmBev.

In 2006 "SUN Interbrew Ukraine" OJSC announced about its reorganization in one legal entity by merging with "Chernigiv Desna Brewery" CJSC, "Rogan Brewery" OJSC and "Yantar Brewery" OJSC. Breweries restructured into balance-free affiliates of "SUN Interbrew Ukraine" OJSC.

SUN Interbrew Ukraine's brand portfolio consists of eight brands: three global brands - Stella Artois, Brahma and Beck's, one international brand - Staropramen, and four Ukrainian brands - Chernigivske, Rogan, Yantar, and TALLER.

SUN Interbrew Limited is the second largest brewer in Russia and the largest brewer in Ukraine.

The company is a strategic partnership between InBev, the No. 1 global brewer, and the SUN Group, operating in the region since 1958, and in the beer sector of Russia and CIS since the beginning of 1990s.

SUN Interbrew is a public company registered in Jersey, whose shares are listed and traded on the Luxembourg, Frankfurt and Berlin exchanges.