MILAN (Reuters).-Campari Italy, the Italian drink group said on Tuesday that its first quarter sales rose due to stronger aperitif consumption. Bars reopened in Europe in Europe and exceeded expectations.

The revenue came in at 535 millions euros ($561million) during the first three months, an increase of 29% on a similar-for-like basis. This is more than twice the expected growth.

Campari’s maker and Aperol bitters producer said the positive performance could be easily compared to 2021, when there were restrictions placed on bars and restaurants because of the pandemic.

Milan-based Group Keeping its Guidance for the Rest of the Year. It stated that they would raise the prices of their beverages in order to make up for higher costs.

In a statement, Chief Executive Bob Kunze Concewitz stated that he had confirmed his guidance for a flat organic EBIT margin by 2022. He also said that he will use adequate price increases to offset the anticipated intensification in inflationary pressures on input prices.

The adjusted earnings before interest taxes (EBIT), rose 59% to 114 millions euros on a similar basis. Profitability improved, as shown by EBIT margins of 21.4% and 17.2% respectively in the first quarter.

($1 = 0.9528 euros)