Dutch brewer Heineken said profit fell 33 per cent in 2007 – after being paying a €219 million (£165.46 million) fine relating to price-fixing levied by the EU.

Excluding the charge, net profit rose 23 per cent to €1.12 billion (£845.16 million), the company said.

Heineken said it expects the positive organic net profit growth to continue into 2008, driven by the shift towards premium beer, strong consumer demand for its brands, improved pricing and a focus on cost control.

Jean-Francois van Boxmeer, chief executive of Heineken, said: “In 2008 we will focus on realising the opportunities we have created and on delivering another year of positive growth.

“I am fully confident that despite the challenges of rising input costs and the uncertain economic outlook in some regions we will again be strong and competitive enough to deliver positive profit growth.”

Heineken added it expects a 15 per cent price increase in its raw material and packaging costs during 2008, but said it would be able to pass these price increases onto the markets.

The brewer said there would be more job losses for the year as it continues with its restructuring programme.

Heineken has agreed to buy UK brewer Scottish & Newcastle with Danish rival Carlsberg, a deal which will provide new distribution and portfolio platforms in the UK.