Heineken predicted organic net profits would grow slightly more than 10 per cent during 2006. The Holland-based brewer originally thought it would be tough to get above mid-single digits. The group's new optimism stemmed largely from better-than-expected volume rises in the first half of the year. Volumes in Central and Eastern Europe were up 18 per cent on the first six months of 2005, led by beer brands like Amstel, Ochota and trademark Heineken in Russia. The Americas followed closely behind with an increase of 13.4 per cent. Heineken said it was particularly pleased with the launch of its Premium Light beer on the troublesome US beer market. Premium Light, it said, should exceed its 40m-litre sales target for the year. The success follows that of other light beers in the US, notably SABMiller's Miller Lite, which have gone some way to halt falling sales for beer in America generally. Heineken said profits would also be aided both this year and in the longer term by its cost savings scheme, Fit-to-Fight.