SABMiller Zimbabwe unit's nine-month beer sales down on weak economy

SABMiller's Zimbabwean affiliate Delta Corporation reported a 20 percent drop in lager sales for the first nine months to December, a sign consumers were feeling the pinch of a flatlining economy.

Delta, Zimbabwe's largest listed company, said in a statement on Tuesday that consumer spending, previously higher during the traditional December holiday peak, was subdued and total revenue for the period was down 6 percent.