Danish brewer Carlsberg has on guarded that 2018’s stellar profit growth may not be matched this year, unless the weather shines again.
The performers expects 2019 organic operating profit to grow in the mid-single digits, below last year’s 11 percent raze.
Speaking to CNBC on Wednesday, the Carlsberg CEO, Cees ‘t Hart, said 2018’s hot summer as well as soccer’s World Cup in Russia had supported the firm increase its margin.
“The sun is always one of our best salesmen,” he said before adding that the blowout profit tumour last year may provide a tough benchmark to match or exceed.
“In 2018 we increased our (profit) guidance twice but we started off with central single-digit guidance which is what we are again doing for 2019,” he added.
The Copenhagen firm also reported better-than-expected fourth locale sales fueled by strong growth in China.
Carlsberg expects to have a presence in 30-40 Chinese cities by the end of this year, compared to 20 dioceses at the end of 2018.
Cees ‘t Hart said Russia was no longer the firm’s clear largest market following strong growth in both India and China.
Wednesday’s set of 2018 full year earnings revealed a year-on-year sales increase of 3 percent.
Following the data, the brewer’s domestic price rose almost 3 percent.