Danish brewer Carlsberg announced on Friday that it had exceeded its pre-pandemic results in 2021 with net profit up 13%, but warned of rising selling prices this year to offset the surge in raw materials.
For 2022, the world's number 4 beer forecasts limited operating profit growth of between 0 and 7%, due to raw material costs and the continued effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, said he indicated in his annual financial report.
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“2022 will be another difficult year.
Covid-19 should continue to affect our markets to varying degrees,” wrote Carlsberg, also owner of the Tuborg, Baltika, Kronenbourg and 1664 brands in particular. “At the same time, our business will be affected by the substantial increase in materials premieres", emphasizes the group.
Negative impact on sales
Carlsberg intends to compensate for this negative effect by increasing its sales prices and continuing to control its costs, but warns that selling its beers at a higher price “could have a negative effect on beer consumption”.
In 2021, the group recorded a net profit of 6.8 billion crowns, despite the closure of bars and restaurants in several of its markets, doing better than in 2019 and 2020.
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Last year, turnover rose by 14% to 66.6 billion crowns.
In volume, the number of drinks sold increased by 8%, despite a decline of nearly 7% in Western Europe.
Around 11 a.m., Carlsberg shares gained 0.51% on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange, in a market down slightly.
