USA: Beer Purchasers’ Index shows the highest January reading since 2021

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for January 2025. January’s results show the highest January reading since 2021, while continuing to reflect an overall neutral outlook for distributor sentiment. The current BPI reading of 48 is a five-point increase from last year’s reading of 43 and shows sequential improvement over the past three years, Craft Brewing Business reported on February 5.

The combination of index readings for the at-risk inventory at 49 and beer purchasers’ index at 48 is another “bullseye” outcome that leaves the industry neither bullish nor bearish for the start of 2025.

Looking across the segments for January:
• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes, with a January 2025 reading of 61— two points higher than January 2024 reading of 59.
• The craft index at 26 for January 2025 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is two points lower from January 2024 reading at 28.
• The premium lights index rose to 49 for January 2025, eleven points higher than January 2024 reading at 38.
• The premium regular index rose to 45 for January 2025, two points higher than the January 2024 reading at 43.
• The below premium segment for January 2025 at 56 is 23 points higher than the January 2024 reading of 33.
• The FMB/seltzer reading for January 2025 at 46 is eleven points higher than the January 2024 reading at 35. The FMB segment is one of five segments to post a higher reading in January 2025 compared to 2024.
• Finally, the cider segment posted a January 2025 reading at 29 compared to 30 for January 2024.

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