Italy set new records for beer production, export and consumption last year, according to AssoBirra's Annual Report for 2019.
Production increased for the third year running, up by 5% on 2018, to 17.2 million hl. According to the report, Italy is now the ninth biggest beer producer in Europe, accounting for 4.5% of total beer produced.
The increase in production has boosted the entire sector, including small producers, which number about 850 and collectively saw 3.8% growth compared to 2018.
Italy also set a new domestic consumption record, exceeding 20 million hl (+2.6% on 2018), with per head consumption increasing from 33.6 to 34.6 litres.
Export Growth
Exports were also up (+13%) to 3.5 million hl, especially to countries with a strong brewing tradition, such as the UK (46% of the total), the USA (9.7%) and Australia (8%).
The positive performance of the sector has also translated into an increase in employment, with more than 3,300 indirect and direct jobs created in Italy last year.
However, since year-end Italy’s beer sector has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected many sectors of the economy as well as medium-term growth.
The Italian beer industry association has requested government support for the entire supply chain through a reduction of excise duties.
The sector has also appealed for support for the HoReCa channel, through a contribution of liquidity for individual operators, including a tax credit on the purchase of beer in kegs. This channel accounts for over €5.7 billion of the €9 billion value generated by the beer industry.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
