Germany: In 2004 overall sales of German beer increased for the first time in 5 years. About 10.6 billion litres (2.8 billion gallons) of German beer were sold in 2004, up 0.2 % from 2003, due to an increase in exports to other European Union member states, the Federal Statistics Office said. German Beer exports climbed 13.1% in 2004 to 13.9 billion litres (3.67 billion gallons).

Beer sales within Germany dropped by 1.5 % to 9.19 billion litres (2.43 billion gallons) in the 12 months to 2004. With the exception of 1999 and 2002, beer sales have declined each year since 1995. The lower birth rate and a penchant for more exotic drinks among young Germans has been blamed for the drop in the past, but the office gave no reason for the trend.

The slide continues a persistent trend in Germany that worsened in 2003 when the country introduced a complex system of deposits on cans and bottles.

Germany ranks as the third highest per capita consumer of beer in world, behind Ireland and the Czech Republic, the office said.

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