Belgium: Beer consumption increases in 2021

Belgium’s beer consumption registered an increase last year despite several months still having been marked by the coronavirus crisis, La Libre reported on June 16.

Overall, 6.45 mln hl were consumed by the nation in 2021, up 12.2% versus 2020. In 2019, consumption surpassed 7 mln hl, however, the volumes consumed in Belgium have been shrinking for more than 20 years.

On-premise sales did not manage to recover completely as the full reopening only happened on June 9th. Supermarkets sold a total of 4.47 mln hl – close to the record 4.59 mln sold in 2011, the annual report by Brasseurs Belges showed.

Seventy-three percent of Belgium’s total beer output is destined for export, with the total shipped abroad last year relatively unchanged from 2020 and 2019 – at 17.5 mln hl. At the same time, exports to non-EU nations which have been rapidly growing over the last years lost some ground in 2021 (-12.6% versus 2020) while sales within the EU saw a 2.6% increase. Shipments to the US registered a 44% decline last year, which could be explained by the Coronavirus crisis, the boom of local craft breweries, and the fact that some of the bigger Belgian brewers chose to produce their beers locally in the US.

In spite of the pandemic, the number of breweries in Belgium continued to grow, reaching 408 last year versus 379 in 2020. Together they produce and sell more than 1500 different beer brands. The brewers’ total investments last year increased by 13% to EUR311 mln, the trade association reported.

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