Romania: Average per capita beer consumption drops in 2023

The average per capita beverage consumption went up in Romania in 2023, compared to the previous year, for non-alcoholic drinks, wines and distilled alcoholic drinks, while beer consumption dropped, according to data centralized by the National Statistics Institute (INS).

“The average per capital beer consumption dropped by 2.9 litres; the average per capita wine consumption went up by 0.9 litres; the average per capita consumption of distilled alcoholic beverages (40% alcohol) grew by 1.7 litres; the average non-alcoholic drinks consumption went up by 5.6 litres,” according to INS.

The mentioned source shows that last year, total beer resources were smaller by 532,000 hl, compared to 2022, 93.4% of 2023 production being ensured. Beer imports dropped by 33.3%. Beer available for human consumption dropped by 3.4% and production by 339,800 hl (-2.1%). Overall wine resources grew by 541,000 hl against the previous year, a growth due mainly to the growing wine production by 20.9% (+803,900 hl).

Wine imports grew 7.5% (+43,200 hl), while the initial wine stock dropped by 10.4% (-306,100 hl). The share of wine production in overall resources went up by 6.6%, while the share of wine imports remained constant, compared to 2022. The largest part of wine resources was for human consumption, which grew by 178,700 hl, compared to the previous year. Wine exports dropped bu 8,300 hl against the previous year.

Distilled alcoholic beverage resources were in 2023 higher by 138,500 hl 100% alcohol, than in the previous year. The distilled alcoholic drinks production was made up of liqueurs, fermented ethylic alcohol beverages and other distilled alcoholic beverages.

Overall distilled alcoholic drinks resources from the “Liqueur, fermented ethylic alcohol and other distilled alcoholic drinks” group were higher by 140,000 hl 100% alcohol, compared to the previous year. The available quantity for human consumption went up by 45.3%. The average consumption of liqueurs, fermented ethylic alcohol and other distilled alcoholic drinks grew from 1.4 to 2.1 litres of 100% alcohol per capita in 2023.

Another group of distilled alcoholic drinks is represented by natural brandy and cognac, for which production dropped by 13.5% (-9,200 hl 100% alcohol) in 2023. The average per capita consumption level for natural brandy and cognac remained constant compared to theprevious year. Total beverage resources in the “whisky, gin, rum, vodka”group were higher by 9,000 hl 100% alcohol, compared to the previous year. The production level was 9.3% lower and imports were 9% higher.

The quantity of distilled alcoholic beverages and wines (100% alcohol) for industrial use went up by 25.6% compared to the previous year. The average per capita alcohol consumption went up by 6.2% against the previous year. In 2023 the average 100% alcohol consumption per capita grew for distilled alcoholic drinks and wines, anddropped for beer, compared to the precious year evolution.

Total non-alcoholic drinks resources (mineral water, refreshing drinks and non-alcoholic beer) went up by 1,928,500 hl compared to the previous year. That was due to the advance of components partcipating in creating total resources. The 2023 production had the highest contribution to setting up overall non-alcoholic drinks resources.

The average consumption of non-alcoholic drimks per capita recorded an increase of 2.3% (+5.6 l) against 2022. Mineral water consumption went up by 4.5% (+5.3 l), non-alcoholic beer consumption grew by 2.1% (+0.1 l), while refresher drinks consumption went up by 0.2% (+0.2 l).

The highest share of non-alcoholic beverage consumption was held by mineral waters and refresher drinks, on the rise by 1.1%, drpping by 1.1% compared to the previous year.

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