New Zealand brewer Moa Group has announced strong half-yearly growth and its biggest ever order from Australia, but that won’t include SKW 99 Not Out Pale Ale, the beer the company released with cricketer Shane Warne.

Moa reported growth “in all key measures” for the half year to September 30, with volume up 42 per cent to 973,500 litres, as compared with 684,000 litres in the same period last year.

Revenue was $3.4 million, a 38 per cent increase on last year’s figure of $2.5 million, and CEO Geoff Ross said the company is improving its profitability.

L-R: Geoff Ross and Josh Scott of Moa

“The bottom line performance of Moa is now demonstrating the improvements we have been working towards with a substantial improvement in gross margin and further volume gains,” he said.

“This has reduced monthly losses as we continue to invest in our brand, with a draft net loss for the six months at $1.7m, a 43 per cent improvement from the prior six month period which recorded a loss of $3.2m.”

In New Zealand, the company said it grew volume by 61 per cent last year, four times the 15 per cent growth achieved by the broader craft beer category.

Stumps for Warnie beer?
Moa said itrecently received its single biggest order from Australia, which remains its largest export market.

The recent order was from a large national retailer, CEO Geoff Ross told Australian Brews News, but he said growth in Australia was being achieved in all channels and across all its beers.

However, Ross confirmed that SKW 99 Not Out would not be part of the range this summer.

“We had a great run with that last summer, it was always viewed as a summer speciality release, so we are just kind of reviewing it,” he said.

“We may bring it back, but it’s not in the lineup this summer.”

Shane Warne’s representatives have been contacted for comment.