Drinks group C&C has reported lower revenues and profits for the year to the end of February, reflecting the planned exit of the Budweiser Brewing Group contractual volume in Ireland as well as "challenging" hospitality market conditions.
C&C said its revenue for the year slowed by 5.7% to €1.570 billion from €1.665 billion, while its profit before tax fell to €49.8m from €55.9m the previous year.
The company has proposed a final dividend of 3.67 cent, down from 4.13 cent in 2025.
It noted that its Tennent's beer and Bulmers cider brands maintained their market leading positions. It also launched a number of new branded products during the year, including Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner.
C&C said that while mirroring many of the UK headwinds, trading conditions in Ireland were defined by resilient spending but growing caution, as households faced persistent cost pressures and heightened global uncertainty.
"While consumer spending remained robust, supported by strong employment and wage gains, confidence weakened sharply through the year amid concerns over US tariffs and geopolitical risks," the company said.
It noted that inflation closed the year at 2.8%, however the cost of essentials rose faster, notably food prices up 4%, squeezing day-to-day budgets.
It added that bigger supermarket chains responded with heightened promotional activity and targeted digital campaigns, intensifying competition across the Off-Trade channel.
But in the On-Trade, the long-alcoholic drink (LAD) market showed broad stability, supported by rising price per litre and continued premiumisation.
Lager volumes declined 1.4% in the year, while stout continues to underpin market resilience with modest growth. Cider volumes grew 1% with value growth of 3.3%.
C&C said its trading performance since the start of its new fiscal year has been in line with expectations.
"The important summer months trading period lies ahead, and the macro environment remains unstable meaning forecasting consumer behaviour and demand is challenging for all," it said.
"Notwithstanding this uncertainty, the group has strong plans in place across the business, and we currently expect to meet full-year financial objectives, alongside delivering substantial progress in the development and delivery of our refreshed strategic framework," it added.
Roger White, C&C's chief executive, said the company has made demonstrable progress in multiple areas across the group in the past 12 months and now have a more stable operating platform from which to build.
"Having established the best route forward for C&C Group to create value and having done much of the preliminary enabling work required, we now look forward with a renewed focus and drive to deliver the necessary change and improvements we have identified to support our value creation ambitions," Mr White said.
"We will continue to develop the growing C&C Brands portfolio, with our brand innovation pipeline now firmly established," he said.
"We anticipate a series of exciting brand initiatives and a strong promotional programme across the key summer months," he added.
