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Global brewing giant SABMiller has reported an 11 per cent rise in first-half lager sales, despite slowing sales in one of its key markets.

In a trading update the London-based brewer said that it had continued its "strong start" to the year.

But the company behind brands such as Peroni Nastro Azzurro lager and Miller Lite said that the growth in sales reported for the six months to September 30th was partially offset by higher costs.

"The growth in revenue has been partially offset by higher input costs and increased investment across the business," said SABMiller, although the company stressed that its financial performance for the six-month period remained in line with management expectations.

In Latin America, one of SABMiller's most profitable regions, half-year beer volumes rose by eight per cent, lower than the 12 per cent rise recorded for the first-quarter analysts said.

Colombian beer sales grew by more than seven per cent during the first-half, but SABMiller said that slower growth was recorded during the latter part of the period. Beer volumes in Peru were up ten per cent in a market that remains "highly competitive", the company added.

SABMiller reported a 12 per cent rise in lager sales across Europe, with the company stressing that warm weather helped achieved particularly strong sales during the first two months of the first-half.

In Poland beer sales grew by 13 per cent, while in Russia they were up 18 per cent. Romanian beer sales increased by 37 per cent over the period, driven by the ongoing success of the Timisoreana brand, while the Czech Republic saw a three per cent rise.

SABMiller, which last week agreed to combine its US operations with rival brewer Molson Coors, said its domestic sales to retailers in North America were up 1.4 per cent over the first-half, while Miller Lite sales there climbed by 2.1 per cent over the period.

The company's Africa and Asia operations also experienced rapid growth over the first-half of 2007, reporting a 20 per cent rise in beer volumes. In South Africa, which accounts for almost a third of SABMiller's profits, volumes were up by two per cent.