One of the world's biggest beer companies has today reported a rise in profits and sales.

Heineken said its profits for the first quarter had gone up by 11 per cent, from €265million last year to €293million, and that its beer sales had increased by 0.6 per cent.

It said growth in Asia Pacific and Europe had offset slightly lower volume in the Americas and Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe.

CEO Jean-François van Boxmeer said: "Performance in the first quarter was in line with expectations, delivering volume growth against strong comparatives last year.

"Asia Pacific continued to outperform and volume in Europe was solid.

"In Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe market conditions remain challenging, adversely impacting volume.

"In Americas, whilst Mexican volume was good this was more than offset by weaker volume in Brazil. Our full-year expectations remain unchanged."

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