Italian beer sales in the retail channel have grown by 6.9% in value and by 4% in volume during the first five months of 2016, compared to the same period in 2015.
According to data published by IRI, total turnover amounted to €1.2 billion, with speciality beers, although still representing a niche market, boosting the growth.
Light pale ales (representing 95% of sales) grew by 4.3%, flavoured beers were up by 36%, red and pale ales (+6% alcohol) grew by 14%, while weissbier increased by 8%.
Italy is the third most significant country in Europe for the number of microbreweries, producing 445,000 hectolitres in 2014, equivalent to 3.3% of total production.
The three major players (Heineken, Peroni and AbInbev) together account for 66% of the overall beer market in Italy, according to IRI.
For its part, the Italian Association of Beer and Malt Producers (Assobirra) claims that Heineken has 28% in volume, followed by Peroni (18.6%), Ablnbev (8.7%) and Carlsberg (6.1%).
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
