The group's annual report shows the headline operating profit (EBIT) stood at almost EUR 10m and profit before income tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) at EUR 0.3m. The group thus recorded a headline loss of EUR 17.9m.

However, this is the result of one-off expenditure worth EUR 33.3m, stemming mostly from revaluation of real estate and investment property to the tune of EUR 29m.

Excluding the one-off expenditure, EBIT was at EUR 23.5m and EBITDA at EUR 33.6m.

Laško was acquired last year by Dutch brewer Heineken, which holds a 97.6% stake.

The acquisition will be wrapped up soon as an extraordinary shareholder meeting has been called for 11 April at which small shareholders will be squeezed out.

The annual report also suggest the key companies in the group, Pivovarna Union and Pivovarna Laško, will be merged this year and renamed Pivovarna Laško Union in a bid to achieve synergies.