France: Beer consumption estimated to have increased by 3% last year

France’s beer consumption may have increased last year for the third year in a row, Le Figaro reported on April 18.

Since 2014 the nation’s consumption has been increasing by 3% every year, Marc Vermeulen of Brasseries Kronenbourg said in an interview to Le Figaro. Trade association Brasseurs de France said final figure for last year was not available yet but that there was “a positive trend on the market”.

The number of breweries in France is currently estimated at around 1 thousand, it is reported, a number that doubled over the last five years.