Strong SA beer sales - led by Zamalek - help offset Budweiser boycott

Anheuser-Busch InBev's global operations, including a strong topline performance from SA, have helped offset the fallout from a consumer boycott in the US that prompted a double-digit slide in sales in its biggest market.

The world's largest brewer reported results for its second quarter to end-June on Thursday, managing to deliver overall revenue growth of 7.2% to $15.1 billion (R282 billion), as a 9% rise in average prices offset a volume decline of 1.4%.

Sales in North America fell just over 14% in the quarter, with core profit down 28% in this region, blighted by a consumer boycott of the Bud Light brand, which followed a campaign with transgender social media star Dylan Mulvany. This, along with comments from a marketing executive who said there was a need to move the brand away from a "fratty" and "out-of-touch" image, sparked a wave of media coverage and criticism in some quarters.