Dual-listed brewer SABMiller announced in a trading update on Wednesday that for the 11 months to February 2005, the group recorded organic larger volume growth of over four percent.

However, shares fell on the news that the pace of growth had fallen in the first two months of this year.

Local beer volumes grew by four percent on a year to date comparable basis supported by continued robust consumer spending, the brewer said.

The Africa and Asia business continued to record good growth with an increase of almost ten percent in organic lager volume when compared with the year earlier period.

In financial 2004 the group realised pre-tax profit of $1.391-billion from turnover of $12.645-billion.

Shares on Wednesday closed down by 1.67 percent to 96.02 rand.

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