Brewer SABMiller is set for a tough battle to turn around its Australian Foster’s acquisition as its beer volumes sink and it loses key import contracts.

BREWING giant SABMiller agreed to buy Foster’s Group for a sweetened price of A$9.9 billion (€7.48bn) yesterday after talks between the two last week ended in a couple of beers which sealed the deal this week.

Brewing giant SABMiller today reported earnings growth in all its businesses as the thirst of drinkers for low-carbohydrate beer showed no sign of easing.

Brewing giant SAB Miller has said it had bought the Chinese brewing interests of Lion Nathan for an equity value of $71m (€58m).