EU, beer craving grows again in 2024

Brussels – Blonde, amber or dark? When it comes to beer in Europe, it makes little difference. Beer production endures and, albeit slightly, increases. In 2024, EU countries will have bottled, canned, and kegged 32.7 billion litres of high-grade product (with an alcohol content of 0.5 per cent and above). Compared to the volumes of 2023, there is a 0.6 per cent increase (about 0.2 billion litres), confirming an established trend. Beer remains popular, partly due to the summer season, which leads many Europeans to seek it as a source of refreshment. 

Compared to a year ago, Eurostat notes in releasing the data, nothing has changed in terms of market share and weight: in 2024, Germany is confirmed as the main producing country, with 7.2 billion litres (22.2 per cent of the total EU production), the same as in 2023. It is followed in the special ranking by Spain (4 billion litres, 12.3 per cent of the total) and Poland (3.4 billion litres, 10.6 per cent). The Netherlands (2.2 billion litres, 6.8 per cent of the total) and Belgium (2.1 billion litres, 6.3 per cent) complete the “top five” of the main beer producing countries.

The Netherlands led the export of cans, bottles, and kegs. Dutch beer brands sold 1.5 billion litres inside and outside the EU. Compared to 2023, however, there was a decrease of 12 per cent (-0.2 billion litres), which brings Germany and Belgium (both countries with 1.4 billion litres of exported beer) closer to first place in terms of cross-border sales. The Czech Republic (0.6 billion litres) and Ireland (0.5 billion litres) follow in the list of top suppliers of blondes, ambers, and stouts.

Beer demand in the EU is mainly from France (0.8 billion litres purchased) and Italy (0.7 billion litres). Countries known for producing champagne and wine are evidently starting to change their minds and habits. 

In addition to the volumes described above, 2 billion litres of low-alcohol (less than 0.5 per cent) beer will be produced in 2024, bringing total beer production to 34.7 billion litres. For “light” beer, there is an increase in demand of 11.1 per cent, or 200 million litres more.