Japan: Japan’s craft beer sector remains resilient amid market slowdown

Japan’s craft beer sector remains resilient amid a slowdown in its beer market. Demand for craft beer in Japan is forecast to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 13.14% for the period from 2024 to 2032, according to a recent report published by IMARC, a market research company.

Prime factors driving growth will be an expected rise in consumption of alcohol; a growing number of bars, pubs and restaurants stocking craft beers, as well as an increasing number of craft beer events and festivals promoting demand.

The report summary also anticipates more individuals developing an interest in craft beer, and an increasing number of craft breweries sourcing their ingredients locally.

Governing agencies are also easing regulations and licensing requirements for craft breweries and providing financial assistance and tax incentives, according to the report.

The report follows on from the results of a survey conducted by Kirin Holdings Co, a major Japanese brewery, which revealed that global beer consumption had risen to 192.1 million kilolitres in 2022, up 2.9% from the year before and by 1% more than in 2019.

The Asian region was the best performing globally, with 4.9% growth year-on-year; and accounted for 33.9% share of the global beer market, remaining the world’s largest beer-consuming region for the 15th consecutive year.

Japanese beer drinkers, however, had only increased their consumption by 2.5% in 2022, and consequently the country has fallen again in the annual world consumption rankings from eighth position to 10th.

China ranked first for the 20th consecutive year, accounting for 21.9% of all beer consumed worldwide, followed by the United States and Brazil.

Despite the below par performance by Japan, there is good news for the craft beer industry. “In developed countries, we are seeing a shift from quantity to quality as people become more health-conscious and craft beer becomes more popular,” said a Kirin representative commenting on the report.

Other large Asian markets for beer consumption that enjoyed robust growth included Vietnam which ranked seventh, and India in 13th position; boasting growth rates of more than 27% and 20%, respectively.

The Kirin survey covered 170 major countries and regions, and was conducted through questionnaires to beer associations in each country

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