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SABMiller, the world's second-largest brewer, has reported a 22 per cent rise in first-half earnings.

In a statement today the company confirmed its adjusted earnings per share climbed to 69.1 US cents (33.7p) in the six months to September 30th, up from earnings of 56.6 cents (27.6p) reported for the corresponding period of the previous year.

The brewer - whose beer brands include Miller Lite, Castle and Peroni - also reported a 15 per cent rise in first-half revenues, which grew to $10.78 billion (£5.26 billion).

Nonetheless, SABMiller warned that it expects to face tougher trading conditions in the coming months.

In particular the company has faced higher costs for glass, grain, aluminium and energy.

But the drinks group said despite higher input costs and challenging comparative growth rates for the first-half of last year, the business had still reported organic growth in lager volumes of 11 per cent.

Overall, SABMiller's group lager volumes were up 15 per cent to 135 million hectolitres over the first-half.

The company said price and productivity increases had offset the impact of higher production costs, while stressing the business' positive start to the year reflected the "momentum" in SABMiller's developing markets.

In China, the company performed particularly well, with the group's joint-venture there experiencing organic volume growth of 22 per cent.

CR Snow, which SABMiller says has continued to perform ahead of the wider Chinese beer market, is set to become the world's second-largest beer brand by volume this year - according to the company.

In Europe, SABMiller reported earnings growth of 17 per cent and hailed an "excellent" performance in the region.

Commenting on the results, SABMiller chief executive, Graham Mackay, said: "We have delivered another excellent performance in Europe, a pleasing return to growth in North America, and our Asian businesses have continued their momentum and made market share gains."