Africa
In Africa sales proceeds fell by
1.5% to NLG 502 million.
Earnings decreased as a result of
the pressure on selling prices.
The economic situation in Africa worsened further in the past
year. Purchasing power was under pressure as a result of the
fall in the selling prices for export products and through the
continuing growth of population. Furthermore, harvests were
disappointing owing to the poor weather conditions. Finally,
in many countries there was political unrest. It therefore goes
without saying that our employees had to perform their work
under very difficult circumstances.
In most African countries the beer market was under
pressure. This was so, amongst others, in Zaire, Congo,
Angola and - as a result of an increase in excise duty -
Morocco.
Against the background of the declining beer market cost-
saving measures were implemented in a number of operating
companies, including reductions in the number of employees.
In Burundi, Rwanda and Zaire the volume of our sales was
increased.
In Réunion, Master de Bourbon was launched and in Congo,
where sales were significantly lower in a sharply declining
market, Primus Spéciale was introduced.
In Nigeria our minority holding Nigerian Breweries acquired
the assets of Diamond Breweries so that the increasing
requirement for brewing capacity could be met.
In South Africa Amstel beer, brewed by our licensing partner
South African Breweries, improved its position. Sales of
imported Heineken beer increased in this country.
700
oi o cn m
00
Sales proceeds
Africa
in millions of guilders
33
