Plzeňský Prazdroj Had a Record–Breaking Export in 2012

Domestic market saw recovery mainly through innovations in the portfolio. However domestic consumption has been impacted by continuous declining trend in the on–trade, resulting from economic and government austerities. Further development of the Czech beer market will be influenced by the recent VAT increase and subsequent shopping decisions made by consumers. We will continue to build our unique Czech beer culture by offering high quality products to satisfy our consumers‘ demands, bringing great shopping experience when purchasing our beer in retail and creating pleasant and favourable environment in designed concepts of bars and restaurants across the Czech Republic.“ Doug Brodman, CEO of Plzeňský Prazdroj

New record in export charts

Despite the continuous challenging economic situation in many export markets, the demand for beer brands of Plzeňský Prazdroj in 2012 grew to a new historical record. Export of Pilsner Urquell to more than 50 countries went up by 3% compared to prior year. Marketing activities during the whole year and successful presentation of Pilsner Urquell brand during the Olympic Games in London raised sales in the United Kingdom by more than 20%. Consumers in South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan showed higher interest in Pilsner Urquell, so the total export of this lager in Asia region grew by more than 50%.

Increase in off–trade benefited from innovations

In the domestic market sales in off–trade increased by a single digit percentage, mainly through successful innovations such as mixed beer–based drinks, convenient packaging like cans and PET bottles. This partially compensated for continuous declining trend in the on–trade segment. In 2012, Plzeňský Prazdroj introduced numbers of new products, such as mixed beers with fruit juices Gambrinus Lime & Elderberry and Gambrinus Sharp lemon, a wheat beer with peal of orange and coriander called Fénix, Frisco Blackcurrant or Birell Lime & Raspberry flavour and offered beer brands in convenient packaging. In addition, Plzensky Prazdroj developed,sets new standards for a beer shopping experience and match the uniqueness of beer category’s position in the Czech Republic. In the on–trade segment the Company introduced our new brands and continued to offer unfiltered beer in broaden number of pubs.

Plzeňský Prazdroj: Company Highlights in 2012

Notes for editors:

• With total sales of almost 9.9 million hectolitres in 2012 (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 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 Pilsner Urquell, Miller Genuine Draft, Grolsch, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, as well as many other successful regional brands.

Contact:
Jiří Mareček
Plzeňský Prazdroj
+420 724 617 219

Plzeň