Decline in German Beer Sales Resumes, Reflecting a Persistent Downward Trend
BERLIN — In a continuation of a longstanding downward trajectory, beer sales in Germany diminished by 4.5% last year, according to the latest official data released on Thursday.
German breweries and distributors recorded sales of approximately 8.4 billion litres (about 2.2 billion gallons) of beer in the previous year, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office. It is noteworthy that these figures do not encompass non-alcoholic beers and beers imported from countries outside the European Union. The year 2022 witnessed a 2.7% increase in beer sales, attributed to a resurgence in demand domestically and within the EU, following the lifting of COVID-19 related restrictions. However, 2023 saw a decline in demand in both these markets.
Domestic sales within Germany, accounting for over 80% of the total, fell by 4.2% to 6.9 billion litres (1.8 billion gallons).
Exports experienced a 5.9% decline overall. Sales to other EU nations, comprising 27 countries, saw a relatively modest decrease of 2.6%, with these countries purchasing 784 million litres (207 million gallons) of German beer. Meanwhile, sales to non-EU countries dropped more significantly, by 9.6%, totalling 646.7 million litres (170.8 million gallons).
German breweries have been grappling with a sustained downward trend, influenced by health concerns and various other factors. The statistics office highlighted that last year’s sales figures were 11.3% lower than those in 2013 and 25.3% less compared to 1993, illustrating a persistent decline over the decades.
