Belgium: Belgian beer output, exports increase in 2016
In a difficult economic and social context in 2016, Belgian brewers saw the volume of their beer on the Belgian market fall by over 3%. This drop is due in part to the terrorist threat, the difficult situation in hospitality and the food service sector and the 8% increase in excise duties at the end of 2015, the local brewers’ association, Brasseurs Belges, said in its annual report.
Although beer production increased to 20.616 mln hl last year, consumption totalled 7.689 mln hl, versus 19.811 mln hl produced and 7.951 mln hl consumed in 2015.
Belgians are continuing to consume less Pils and more specialty beers. The market share of Pils was 71% in 2016, compared with 29% for specialty beers.
In 2016, exports continued to increase, rising by 8% to 14.086 mln hl, with an increase of over 15% outside the EU. The growth of the US, Chinese and Korean markets was particularly significant.
Investments in the Belgian brewing industry rose to a record level of EUR 294 million.
The number of breweries rose from 199 to 224, proof of the dynamism of the Belgian brewing market.
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