Danish brewer Carlsberg raised its full-year 2009 operating profit guidance to at least 9.3 billion crowns ($1.82 billion) from a previous forecast of at least 9.0 billion due to higher Russian volumes.

Carlsberg said a November decision by the Russian parliament to increase beer excise duties by 200 percent from January 1, 2010, had led to stock building in the distribution system in the last months of 2009, boosting its Russian volumes.

Carlsberg estimates that the stock building will affect operating profit positively by approximately 300 million crowns and consequently, Carlsberg upgrades its operating profit outlook for the year..., the company said in a statement.