Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer, has reported an unexpected rise in beer sales by volume in the first quarter of 2026, driven by a 1.2% increase for its beer brands. The Belgium-based company, which owns Corona and Stella Artois, saw overall sales volumes grow by 0.8% in the three months to March.
The brewer posted underlying profits of $1.92bn (£1.41bn), up from $1.61bn (£1.18bn) a year earlier. The company said beer sales by volume reached record highs in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, South Africa and Peru.
Chief executive Michel Doukeris said: “Cheers to beer – the strength of the category and the consistent execution of our consumer-centric strategy drove continued momentum across our footprint. We are investing behind our megabrands and innovations to lead and grow the category.”
The company added that it is “well positioned” to capitalise on major events this year, including the Fifa World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 and will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. AB InBev said it remains on track for annual underlying earnings growth of between 4% and 8%.
