Heineken Experience
sales developed well. Good progress was made with the
construction of a new brewery near Enugu, which will
begin production in March 2003. Consolidated Breweries,
in which Heineken has a minority interest, also reported
highersales.
The economic situation in the Democratic Republic
of Congo remained unstable. As a result the local curren
cy devalued sharply at the end of 2002. Brasseries, Limo-
naderies et Malteries Bralima kept sales up to the previous
year's level, but the result was depressed by higher
packaging expenses and fixed costs. Competition in and
around the capital Kinshasa is intense.
Despite highersales, Brasseries et Limonaderies du
Rwanda Bralirwa in Rwanda returned a slightly weaker
result, due to a number of factors including new import
duties on raw materials.
The political situation in Burundi is still uncertain and
the economy remained weak when promised foreign aid
failed to materialise. High inflation and devaluation of the
local currency meant narrower margins for Brasseries
et Limonaderies du Burundi Brarudi, but this was compen
sated to some extent by higher sales.
The elections in Co n g o passed off relatively smoothly.
In a rising beer market, Brasserie du Congo achieved high
er sales and a better result.
Modest sales growth in a static beer market was reported
by Brasseries de Bourbon on lie de la Réunion.The
result was lower, due to non-recurring costs. A new main
stream lagerwas introduced under the name 974, the
number with which all car licence plates start on Reunion.
Ghana saw no sign of economic recovery. Competition
in the beer market was intense, bringing pressure to bear
on selling prices. Ghana Breweries was able to expand its
beer sales, thereby improving its result.
Brasserie du Logone in Chad benefited from the great
er political stability and the recovery of the oil industry.
Beer sales rose sharply and our brewery made a profit
for the first time since the end of the civil war in 2001.
The restoration of political stability in Sierra Leone
was accompanied by explosive growth in beer consump
tion, and Sierra Leone Brewery, in which Heineken has a
minority interest, was unable to meet demand.
The ceasefire in Angola since April 2002 raised hopes
of a recovery in the beer market, but sales by the EKA and
Nocal breweries, in which Heineken has minority interests,
were still depressed.
Sales of Heineken and Amstel in South Africa, where
both beers are brewed under licence by SABMiller, showed
significant growth. Both are positioned in the premium
segment, the only segment which is growing.
Africa/Middle East
34
