Modelo’s U.S. sales down in September – November quarter

Constellation Brands said that a lawsuit, which Grupo Modelo had filed against Constellation in December 2009 over funding increased spending on promotion and marketing for Crown, won’t affect the joint venture.

In the quarter ended 30 November 2009, Crown saw stabilization and import-category share gains in the grocery distribution channel, while on-premise sales and the convenience store channel remained difficult.

Grupo Modelo is Mexico’s largest brewer. Exports accounted for 30 percent of the company’s sales by volume between January and September 2009, down from 32 percent in the same period of 2008.

The U.S. beer market is expected to have contracted by 2 percent in 2009, says Beer Marketer’s Insights, a trade publication.