The world’s third-biggest brewer has said that it expects sales to grow this year following a fall in 2013’s figures as a weak market in central and eastern Europe hit profits.

In a statement, Heineken said: “In 2014, Heineken expects a gradual recovery in the global economy to underpin improved trading conditions in several of its key markets. Heineken expects volume growth in developing markets in Africa Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America and lower consumption in Europe. “This is expected to lead to an improved organic volume performance trend versus 2013. In addition, revenue management initiatives are again expected to drive higher revenue per hectolitre, albeit at a more modest level compared with 2013. Overall, this is expected to result in organic revenue growth in 2014. Emerging markets currencies remain volatile however, and based on current spot rates, this is expected to have an adverse impact on reported revenues.”