Jacob’s Creek wine sales decline

Pernod Ricard’s 2006/2007 interim consolidated net sales (1 July to 31 December 2006) - excluding tax and duties - totalled EUR 3 507 million, an increase of 7.3 percent. This growth resulted from a 9.7 percent organic growth. The spirits segment recorded organic growth of 12.5 percent thanks to good performances in Asia and the Americas, which now represent 56 percent of net sales. Wines were down 1.1 percent, as growth by the original Allied Domecq brands, notably Perrier-Jouët and Montana, was offset by the decline of Australian wine brands. Sales of Jacob’s Creek fell 3 percent on flat volume. The Pernod Ricard group has upgraded its outlook to a 6 percent rise this half, although the outlook for Australian wine sales was weak.