Plzensky Prazdroj announces financial results for the fiscal year

Highlights:

• Revenues from main activities increased by 1 % to CZK 15.8 billion
• Net income from operational activities increased by 0.3 % before tax against prior year.

In the fiscal year ending on 31 March 2009, Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s. confirmed its position as the leading Czech producer and exporter of beer. Income for sales of goods, own products and services has increased by 1% to CZK 15.8 billion. Profit before tax of CZK 4.6 billion was ahead prior year despite the challenging economic climate, while the net income was slightly behind prior due to once-off accounting adjustments for taxation in the prior year. The exceptional tax items resulted in the tax base being  incomparable against prior. Plzensky Prazdroj is one of the leading contributors to the Czech economy, having paid a total of CZK 4.4 billion in taxes during the past fiscal year.

Mike Short, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Managing Director of Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s., stressed the ongoing focus on premiumisation of the market and export. “The Czech beer market experienced declining volumes last year, and Prazdroj was not an exception. Even during these turbulent times we have managed well through the crisis and retained our focus on premium and upper mainstream brands which should further help the Czech beer market to increase value.”

In the Czech Republic, economic conditions deteriorated during the second half of the fiscal year and consumer demand fell in most of the beer market segments. Plzensky Prazdroj had announced earlier a full 2008 year sales decline of 3%, in line with the market. This decline was further increased by lower sales in the first three month of 2009, when the market was affected by consumer down-trading. At the end of the fiscal year sales started to recover, mainly due to good weather.

During 2008, Prazdroj recorded its highest export volumes ever in its entire 166 year history. Foreign sales volumes increased by 1% over prior year comprising 4% growth in exports from the Czech Republic and flat licensed production.

The capital investments of CZK 1.7 billion into operations and business development continued to influence results. During its presence in the Czech Republic since 2000, SABMiller has invested almost CZK 16 billion into the development of the company and its brands.

Notes for Editors:

• With total sales of 10.7 million hectolitres in the calendar year 2008 (including licensed production abroad) and exports to more than 50 countries around the world, Plzeňský Prazdroj is a major beer producer in the region and the largest exporter of Czech beer.
• Plzeňský Prazdroj, a.s. is a member of the global group SABMiller plc. Pilsner Urquell is the international flagship of the SABMiller brand portfolio.
• SABMiller plc is one of the world’s largest brewers, with brewing interests or distribution agreements in over 60 countries across six continents. The SABMiller brand portfolio consists of international brands such as Grolsch, Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as almost 200 other successful regional and national brands. Outside the U.S., SABMiller is one of the world’s largest producers and distributors of Coca-Cola products.

Contact:
Jiri Marecek
Manager external communication
Tel.: +420 724 617 219

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