CAMEROON – Cameroon’s brewing giant, Société Anonyme des Brasseries du Cameroun (SABC), closed out the year 2023 with a turnover of approximately CFA729 billion (US$1.2B), marking a slight decline of CFA4 billion (US$6.57M) compared to the previous year.
However, CEO Stéphane Descazeaud emphasized that despite the decrease in turnover, sales volume experienced a slight uptick from 1.095 billion liters to 1.1 billion liters over the same period.
Descazeaud highlighted the company’s market shares for beer, soft drinks, and water in the previous year, standing at 73.9 percent, 58.2 percent, and 28.4 percent, respectively.
With recent expansions, SABC aims to significantly increase its beverage production capacity. The extension in Yaoundé alone is expected to boost production by 18 percent, incorporating a mixed beverage line capable of producing 35,000 bottles per hour.
Additionally, construction has commenced on new packaging lines in Bafoussam, with plans to expand to Garoua and Ndokoti by 2025.
These endeavors are projected to add 2.5 million hectoliters to SABC’s glass bottle packaging capabilities over the next 12 months, representing a more than 30 percent increase.
Despite operating in a challenging environment marked by high inflation and sustained fiscal pressure, Descazeaud expressed satisfaction with the company’s performance.
These achievements come amidst significant investments in recent years and the ongoing Anglophone crisis, impacting sales volumes in certain regions.
In terms of taxation, Descazeaud disclosed that in 2023, SABC paid over CFA367 billion (US$603.1M) in taxes, including VAT, excise duties, customs duties, and corporate tax, amounting to 50.3 percent of the company’s total revenue.
Moreover, the company faced a CFA33 billion (US$514.3M) increase in input costs over two years due to inflation.
Descazeaud further revealed that SABC claimed a cumulative investment of CFA313 billion (US$514.9M) over the past decade, averaging at least CFA31 billion (US$50.996M) annually.
The company invested CFA53 billion over the year and launched a five-year investment program valued at CFA200 billion (US$329M) following Castel Group’s acquisition of assets from Guinness Cameroon.
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