In a tough market, the release of Coopers Australian Lager in August 2023 has fuelled strong sales growth for the independent family-owned brewery, which posted a 1.5 per cent rise in total beer sales for the 2024 financial year.
Achieved at a time when the national beer market contracted 2.6 per cent, Coopers’ total beer sales, excluding non-alcoholic beers, hit 78.7 million litres, up from 77.6 million litres the previous year.
Keg sales, which represent 12 per cent of total sales of Coopers beer, were 1 per cent higher, with packaged beer sales up 1.6 per cent. Can sales have increased to represent 43 per cent of total packaged beer sales.
While the successful large-scale release of Coopers Australian Lager was a significant contributing factor to the result, Coopers Original Pale Ale retained its position as the brewery’s biggest selling beer.
Source: Coopers Brewery
Coopers managing director, Dr Tim Cooper, said achieving growth at a time of rising costs of living and the tough market conditions facing the brewing industry across Australia is very encouraging for the company’s sales and marketing teams.
“We like to talk to our brewing credentials and value-for-money across our portfolio, with consumer research continuing to highlight growing support for authentic brands that can be trusted, are high-quality and affordable,” said Cooper.
“Since it was launched in August last year, Coopers Australian Lager has performed exceptionally well. It’s a crisp, great tasting lager that has really hit the mark, attracting new drinkers to Coopers and also winning over existing customers. It has quickly become our second highest selling Coopers product on tap and our fifth highest selling overall.”
Coopers achieved overall growth in sales volume across all states and territories, with the exception of New South Wales, which recorded a decline of 1.3 per cent in volume. The growth extended to its export markets across the globe, with New Zealand growing by 11 per cent. South Australia remained the largest beer market for Coopers, with 25.6 per cent of total sales volume.
“The rising cost-of-living and cost-of-business, including the excessive tax on beer, are placing considerable pressure on all participants in the beer category, and have led to the closure of smaller operators and hospitality venues across the country,” said Cooper.
“While not immune to these pressures, Coopers has continued to expand our product portfolio and invest in our brands, operations and people for the long term.”
This has included the Brewery’s $70 million visitor centre development at Regency Park which includes a restaurant, three bars, interactive historical display, microbrewery, single malt whisky distillery and cask stillage.
Sales of Coopers DIY and other brewing products rose 8 per cent in the 12 months to June 30 led by strong exports into Europe and North America. A tightening of demand across Asia’s food and beverage industry led to a 9 per cent fall in malted barley sales.
Profit-before-tax for the 2024 financial year was $32.8 million, compared with $28.5 million the previous year. Fully franked dividends of $12 per share were paid in the financial year, unchanged from last year.
Through the generosity of staff and shareholders as well as other fundraising activities, the Coopers Foundation awarded more than $650,000 to 19 charities, taking the total donated to nearly $7.9 million since it was formed in 2006.
The foundation appointed former South Australian Premier, Steven Marshall, and sixth-generation family member, Bec Cooper, as its newest members in October.
