World: Global beer consumption down 0.2% in 2017

Global beer consumption in 2017 dropped 0.2 percent from the previous year to 186.72 million kilolitres, down for the third straight year, a Kirin Co. survey showed on December 20.

The weak result was mainly due to a drop in demand in the top three beer consumers — China, the United States and Brazil, according to the survey, which covered 170 economies.

Japan came seventh for the 11th year in a row, with the volume of consumption in the country declining 2.6 percent to 5.11 million kilolitres.

China ranked top for the 15th consecutive year although consumption decreased 3.9 percent to 40.14 million kilolitres reflecting a rise in the number of people who enjoy wine and other alcoholic drinks.

The second-ranking United States saw beer consumption go down 1.2 percent to 23.95 million kilolitres. Consumption in third-ranking Brazil came to 12.56 million kilolitres, down 0.7 percent.

Meanwhile, beer consumption grew 6.8 percent in Mexico, 5.8 percent in Vietnam and 15.8 percent in Thailand, according to Kirin, part of major beverage group Kirin Holdings Co.

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