Romania: Beer market growth flat in 2019

Romania's beer market in 2019 stayed unchanged in terms of volume as compared to the previous year, at 16.7 million hectolitres, the Brewers of Romania association said.

Beer consumption per capita was 86 litres in 2019, at the same level as in the previous year, the association said in a statement on April 15.

Investments made in 2019 by the members of the association - Bergenbier, Heineken Romania, Ursus Breweries, United Romanian Breweries Bereprod, Martens and Clinica de Bere - amounted to 96.3 million euro ($105.3 million), up 30% on the year. Combined cumulative investment by the members of the association has reached 1.62 billion euro to date.

"The beer sector continues to contribute significantly to the Romanian economy and society. Even with flat volume results in 2019, the beer industry provides, directly and indirectly, a significant number of jobs, and drives growth through its long-term commitment to invest locally and to build a responsible industry," Brewers of Romania president Dan Robinson said.

The share of local beer brands accounts for over 97% of domestic consumption, as half of the ingredients used in making beer come from Romanian producers, the association said.

Lager continued to dominate Romanians’ preferences in 2019, with a share of 93%, while beer mixes and flavored beers accounted for 3% of the market. The specialties category, which includes, amongst many others, dark, unpasteurized, light, ale, red, etc., held a share of 2.2%. Non-alcoholic beer accounts for 1.7%.

On an annual comparison basis, beer imports fell slightly by 0.04 million hectolitres to 0.5 million hectolitres last year, equal to less than 3% of the market. Exports also slightly decreased, by 0.05 million hectolitres to 0.54 million hectolitres.

The number of brewers has increased to 68 in 2019, compared to 56 in the previous year.

The association members employs some 4,000 in eleven breweries, including two micro-breweries. Annual contributions of the members of the association to the state budget amounted to 251 million euro in 2019. The cumulative contribution of the members of the Brewers of Romania Association over the last sixteen years exceeded 3.88 billion euro.

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