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operations recorded a 13 percent increase in lager volumes, despite emerging capacity constraints in some markets.
The beverages maker is expected to release its financials for the year ended March 31, 2012 next month.
“Capacity enhancements and improved availability enabled our associate in Zimbabwe to grow full year lager volumes by 23 percent on an organic basis,” said SABMiller plc.
The growth in Delta’s lager volumes spurred overall volume growth for the global brewer, which holds 36,9 percent equity in Delta.
Delta had a volumes growth focus of between 17-20 percent to the full year.
The global brewer said lager volumes were 3 percent ahead of the prior year for both the year and the fourth quarter.
Soft drinks volumes were 7 percent higher than the previous year and 12 percent higher in the final quarter.
Latin America’s lager volumes were up 8 percent on an organic basis compared with the prior year, with healthy growth sustained through the fourth quarter.
In Europe, full year lager volumes declined by 1 percent as beer market growth continued to be subdued and competitors aggressively promoted economy brands and packs
Lager volumes in the Asia Pacific region grew by 4 percent for the year and full year lager volume growth in China was 9 percent on a reported basis, with acquisitions enhancing market share.
Meanwhile, local analysts yesterday said the good performance is likely to give impetus to the counter that has been hovering between US67c and US70c in the first quarter of the year.
Both local and long-term foreign investors have continued to show interest in the country’s biggest company by market capitalisation given its strong performance, increased production and forecast.
Investors on the ZSE have been shifting to dividend declaring companies, which is likely to impact positively on Delta.
Delta dominates Zimbabwe’s corporate landscape and its market capitalisation was expected to top US$1 billion but the share price has failed to trade in tandem with its fundamental value.
Delta registered a 47 percent increase in profit after tax to US$30,2 million in the interim period to September 2011, driven by strong beer volumes.
Revenue for the group went up 41 percent over last year to US$254,8 million against a 23 percent growth in total beverage volume.
Delta said they were going to spend US$78 million to expand operations in the full year to March 2012, up from the initially budgeted US$67 million.