Japanese-controlled brewer Lion Nathan said today New Zealand operations had slowed in the third quarter.
The Sydney-based Australasian brewer said New Zealand beer volumes were up 1.8 percent to 129 million litres in the year to date.
NZ volume growth slowed in the third quarter after a particularly strong start to the fiscal year due to an abnormally warm summer period.
The inclusion of Easter trading in the first half this year and the second half last year also helped boost first half sales.
It said its "power" brands, including Speight's and Steinlager, continued to achieve solid growth.
Lion said it was confident of its ability to step up earnings in fiscal 2009 and expects net profit to be between $A295 million ($NZ381.97 million) and $A315 million.
It also confirmed its profit guidance for the 12 months to September 30 will be $A265 million to $A275 million, which includes the one time item of Boag's.
It said it achieved revenue growth of around 7 percent for the nine months to June 30.
Total beer volumes grew by 3.3 percent to 686 million litres for the same period.
Lion Australia's beer volumes grew by 3.7 percent to 550 million litres, but excluding Boag's, grew by 0.3 percent.
The beer market in Australia declined by 1.3 percent in volume terms, but grew by 3.8 percent in value.
Lion Nathan Wine Group volumes were up 6.8 percent in the year to date.
Lion is 46 percent owned by Japan's Kirin Brewery.
