Anheuser-Busch InBev reports total volumes grew 20.8% in the second quarter with own beer volumes up 20.5% and non-beer volumes surging 23.2%. Revenue advanced 27.6%.
Sales of the company’s global brands — Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona — increased 23% globally and 19.3% outside their home markets.
Michel Doukeris, CEO, attributed the gains to “consistent execution of our commercial strategy – centered around winning brands, category development and digital transformation – delivered continued momentum in the second quarter with top-line growth 3.2% ahead of 2Q19 pre-pandemic levels, even in light of ongoing COVID-19 impacts. Looking forward, we will continue to build upon our customer- and consumer-first approach to drive growth and value creation.”
In the U.S., total revenue grew 6.8%, sales to wholesalers grew 2.2% and revenue per hectoliter grew 4.6%. Sales to retailers declined 1.4%, which ABI estimated at below industry growth.
The company said it is continuing to ” strengthen and premiumize our portfolio, rebalancing toward faster-growing above core segments. Michelob ULTRA and our craft brands grew by double-digits yet again in 2Q21. Our seltzer portfolio, led by Bud Light Seltzer, grew by 28%, which is 2.7x the growth of the segment according to IRI and our canned cocktail brand Cutwater is growing by triple digits.”