Brazil: 148 new breweries registered in 2016

Last year saw 148 new breweries registering in Brazil, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (MAPA), which brought the total number of the country’s brewing companies to 522 in December 2016, O Globo reported on May 30.

The 39.6% increase in the number of breweries last year is attributed to the growing interest in craft beer in Brazil, as well as to the fact that the economic crisis which has been tormenting the country since 2014 has made people look for other job opportunities.

The majority of the country’s brewing facilities is still concentrated in the south and south-east of the country (90%), however, all other states have reported growth in breweries numbers. Although craft beer still only accounts for about 1% of the total market, brewing around 124 mln litres per year, this sector is showing stable growth and is estimated to have a big potential.

Brazil is the world’s third-largest beer market after China and the US. With an annual output of almost 14 bln litres, the country’s per capita beer consumption is estimated at more than 68 litres, which is well ahead of its other Latin America neighbours.

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