A Surge in Non-Alcoholic Brewing
In the European Union, the production of alcohol-free and low-alcohol beers has seen a significant boost, increasing by 13% from 2022 to 2023. This trend contrasts with a decline in the production of traditional beers, raising questions about the future dynamics between these two segments. Despite the surge in alcohol-free options, traditional beer still dominates the market, accounting for an overwhelming majority of beer production in the region.
The Dominance of Traditional Beer
Despite the growth of alcohol-free options, traditional beer production remains the star of the EU’s beer landscape. In 2023, traditional beers made up about 95% of the total beer output, which surpassed 32 billion liters. In comparison, the production of alcohol-free and low-alcohol beers only reached approximately 1.8 billion liters. This shows a significant gap, highlighting that while non-traditional beers are gaining traction, the majority of beer consumed in the EU is still alcoholic.
Germany Leads the Market
Germany continues to reign supreme as the EU’s largest beer producer, holding a commanding 22% of the total beer output in the region. This leadership extends to the production of alcohol-free beers, where Germany captures around 30% of the market with 556 million liters in 2023. Spain follows closely in both categories, producing 12% of traditional beer and 14% of alcohol-free varieties. Other notable producers in this sector include the Netherlands, France, the Czech Republic, and Romania.
Export Success Amid Brexit Challenges
The Netherlands emerges as the top exporter of traditional beer from the EU, contributing 21.5% of sales to markets outside the region. Interestingly, even after Brexit, the UK remains the most significant destination for EU beer exports, capturing 23% of the total. The US follows as the second-largest partner, while Russia, China, and Cuba also import substantial amounts of EU beer, reflecting a healthy demand for European brews internationally.
France: The Import King
When it comes to imports, the EU sees British beer as the top foreign product, making up 57.6% of the imported beer market, followed by Mexican beer at 17.2%. France stands out as the largest importer of alcoholic beer within the EU, commanding 17.1% of the total imports. This complex landscape illustrates the interplay between domestic production and international trade, demonstrating the ongoing evolution of beer consumption trends across Europe.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Beer Sapiens
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