Johannesburg - Alcoholic beverages giant Distell raised its revenue by 11.9 percent to R15.9 billion for the financial year ended in June 2013, the company said on Wednesday.
Sales volume increased by 7.2 percent despite tough trading conditions and a slowdown in economic growth globally.
Managing director Jan Scannell said the weaker rand and good sales affected results.
“Steep increases in excise duties and marketing expenses were partially offset by foreign currency conversion gains,” Scannell said in a statement.
“However, we also saw the benefits of improved efficiencies in the business and the normalisation of certain raw material input costs.”
The Distell Group is a South African wine, spirits, and flavoured alcoholic beverages producer. Products include Hunters, Richelieu, Savanna, Amarula, Nederburg, JC Le Roux, and Two Oceans.
Headline earnings rose to R1.2bn, a 12 percent rise, while operating profits increased to R1.8bn, a 26.6 percent rise.
Ready-to-drink beverages and ciders delivered excellent growth in several African markets, Scannell said.
Sales outside South Africa rose by 10.2 percent, with revenue rising by 23.1 percent.
Sub-Saharan African markets, excluding South Africa, were primarily driven by the strong cider growth and contributed 55.6
percent to foreign revenue, said Scannell.
In South Africa, revenue increased by 8.6 percent and sales volumes by 6.1 percent.
Scannell said challenging trading conditions were expected to persist.
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