Danish brewer Carlsberg has reported that its annual organic operating profit grew by 6% in the full year to 31 December 2024, ahead of forecasts.

The beer maker reported a 2.8% increase in annual reported operating profit to 11,411m Danish Krone (£1.275bn) , from reported sales up by 1.9% to DKK 75,011m (£8.384bn).

Carlsberg’s alcohol-free division showed the greatest growth, rising 6% in the period. It was followed by its ‘Beyond Beer’ category, which increased 5%, and premium beer which rose by 2%.

Chief executive Jacob Aarup-Andersen said: “Given the challenging environment in some of our major markets, which impacted the volume development, we’re satisfied with our solid 2024 results.”

The alcohol giant purchased British soft drink manufacturer Britvic earlier this year, in a deal worth over £3bn.

Elsewhere, drinks rival Pernod Ricard fared less well over its half year, experiencing a net sales decline of 4% to €6,176m (£5.152bn), citing “ongoing challenges” in the US and China.

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Core brands experiencing a strong performance include whisky brands Ballantine’s and Chivas Regal, while Kahlúa saw strong  momentum across regions.

However it was US tariffs which caused the French spirits group – which has a portfolio that includes Absolut Vodka, Jameson Irish Whiskey and Beefeater Gin – to reveal it was cutting its sales guidance to expect a “low single-digit” fall in organic sales this year, despite previously predicting a return to growth.

Addressing investors, Pernod chief financial officer Hélène de Tissot warned the business could take a €200mn hit this year from geopolitical uncertainties, such as US tariffs and China’s anti-dumping probe-prompted impending taxes on US brandy imports.

Earlier this week, Diageo also warned that the US trade war had left its sales forecast uncertain, forcing it to cut its midterm guidance, previously forecast to be between 5-7%.