Mild Euro winter helps Heineken volumes rise

The brewer has reported a strong start to the year, with volumes rising around the world.

Heineken said that, in the first four months of 2007, total
volumes were up 11.3% on the corresponding period a year earlier at 34.8m
hectolitres. While Asia Pacific led the field, delivering 26.5% (2.5m
hectolitres) volume growth, Africa came in second at 17.1% (4.6m), ahead of
Central and Eastern Europe with 13.7% (13.9m).

In the more mature markets of the Americas and Western
Europe, growth was slower, at 5.7% (4.3m) and 4.6% (9.4m) respectively.