AG Barr has reported a rise in revenue ahead of the wider soft drinks market, despite supply disruption during the peak summer trading period.

For the 26 weeks ending 1 August 2026, the Scottish drinks giant saw adjusted profit before tax increase 2.6 per cent to £36.1m, while revenue jumped 8.5 per cent to £247.4m.

AG Barr, which portfolio includes popular drink brands IRN-BRU, Rubicon and Boost, ended the period with £47m of net bank debt, compared with £41.3m of net cash a year earlier, partially reflecting one-off costs associated with integrating recent acquisitions Fentimans and Frobishers.

Chief executive Euan Sutherland hailed the business for its “strong progress”, “despite supply constraints impacting customer service in the peak summer months”.

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“Our recent acquisitions have expanded our addressable market and investment in our manufacturing capabilities continues to significantly strengthen the business for the long term,” said Sutherland.

“Looking ahead, we remain confident in the significant opportunities for the business and our ability to build on this momentum in the second half.

“With our acquisitions now fully integrated and our investment programme progressing well, we remain on track to deliver full year performance in line with market expectations.

The group said its supply issues have now been resolved, with manufacturing line upgrades at Cumbernauld completed and expansion at Milton Keynes progressing to plan.

However industry analysts say the group’s summer disruption had cost the business around £10m in sales, and warned that weaker underlying demand could prove more difficult to address.

“Supply chain problems are fixable. But fading demand isn’t,” said Freetrade analyst Alex Pugh. “Strip out the acquisitions and growth looks flatter.”

“Barr has swung from £41m net cash to net debt after two deals and a year of factory spending. AG Barr bought Frobishers and posh mixer brand Fentimans. It’s used cash and borrowing to do it, betting it can grow those brands faster inside Barr than they’d grow alone.

“So, a lot’s riding on the second half,” Pugh added.