Distell, a  South African beverage company, has revealed that its overall revenue increased by 11.9 percent, R15.9 billion ($1.6 billion), for the financial year ended in June 2013.

According to Distell, revenues from the international markets rose by 23 percent while the home front  witnessed nearly 9 percent decrease.

Managing director Jan Scannell said “steep increases in excise duties and marketing expenses were partially offset by foreign currency conversion gains”.

Outside South Africa, sub-Saharan markets contributed nearly 56 percent of foreign revenue. This justifies the company’s increasing search for fast-growing African markets to offset sluggish performance in SA, where consumers are cramped by high debt levels and sluggish economic growth.

The company also said its headline earnings rose to R1.2 billion ($117.2 million), a 12 percent rise while operating profits increased to R1.8 billion ($175.8 million), a 26.6 percent rise.

The Distell Group is a South African wine, spirits, and flavoured alcoholic beverages producer. Products include Hunters, Richelieu, Savanna, Amarula, Nederburg, JC Le Roux, and Two Oceans.

Shares of Distell are up 16 percent this year, outperforming a 9 percent rise in Johannesburg’s All-Share index.