C&C Group, which recently took over wholesalers Matthew Clark and Bibendum, sustained a dip in turnover in the year to 28 February from 576.2 million euros to 548.2 million euros.

The Dublin-based supplier of branded cider, beer, wine, soft drinks and bottled water reported that EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) was down from 107.2 million euros to 100.4 million euros.

While there were strong performances by Tennent’s beer, Magners cider, premium drinks and wholesaling in Great Britain, Irish domestic income suffered from competitive pressures, the one-off impact of a new distribution arrangement with AB InBev for cider, and currency adjustments.

According to C&C Group directors, the acquisition of Matthew Clark and Bibendum, as well as an investment last year in the Admiral Taverns pubs chain, will “significantly strengthen” its route-to-market access in the UK.