Italy: Beer production shows a slight decrease in 2024

After a long period of growth and success, followed by the standstill during the pandemic and the subsequent revival, 2024 in Italy’s brewing sector proved not too different from the previous year: still affected by climatic and geopolitical instability and the resulting cost increases, says Assobirra Annual Report 2024.

While some figures show a decline, others are growing, offering a glimpse beyond the clouds of the current situation into a promising future. The overall health of the sector remains good, with various players throughout the entire production chain demonstrating a determination, inventiveness, willingness to invest, and passion that bode well for the near future, the trade association said.

As for the figures, Italy’s beer production in 2024 stood at 17.2 million hectolitres, marking a slight decrease (- 1.27%) compared to the 17.4 million hectolitres recorded the previous year. For the first time, production fell below the level recorded in 2019 (17.3 million hl), the last year before the pandemic, thus reversing the upward trend seen through to the end of 2022.

Consumption likewise declined in 2024, with a total of 21.4 million hectolitres, down from 21.8 million in 2023 (- 1.53%) and from the 2022 peak of 22.5 million hectolitres. Nevertheless, the level recorded in the past year remains higher than pre-Covid levels (21.2 million hl in 2019), and represents a significant increase (+20,99%) over the past decade (17.8 million hl in 2014), confirming that beer demand is now structurally higher.

Per capita consumption stood at 36.4 litres, marking a decrease of 1.89% compared to 2023 (37.1 litres) and 4.71% compared to 2022 (38.2 litres per capita), but remaining above all previous figures from 2021 and earlier. It is worth noting that consumption continues to fall entirely within the boundaries of moderate and responsible drinking - an area in which Italy ranks among the most virtuous European countries – as also evidenced by the growing popularity of low-/no-alcohol beers. These options have seen a steady increase in consumption since 2020, achieving a 2.11% market share in 2024, up 13.4% from 1.86% in 2023.

Consumption of lager beers - by far the most popular type in Italy - also increased, accounting for 84.32% of the market (up from 82.73% in 2023), while special beers showed a slight decline (13.57% vs. 15.41%).

Export figures showed a decline compared to 2023, with a total of 3.34 million hectolitres exported in the past year, down from 3.62 million in 2023 (-7.82%), 3.81 million in 2022, and 3.86 million in 2021. As in previous years, the contraction is largely due to a drop in exports to the United Kingdom (1.38 million hl vs. 1.59 in 2023); although the UK remains the top foreign market for Italian beer, its share has narrowed to 41.5%, down from 43.9% in 2023 and 48.3% in 2022. In contrast, exports to the United States increased (383,640 hl, accounting for 11.5% of total exports, +43,000 hl compared to 2023), as did those to Albania (231,723 hl, +49,000 hl). While exports to France declined (201,506 hl vs. 249,183 in 2023), the country remains the third-largest importer of Italian beer. This decrease was offset by growth in the Dutch market (172,346 hl vs. 161,641 in 2023), which has nearly caught up with France in terms of global export share: 5.2% versus the French 6.0%.

Among non-EU countries, after the UK and the US, Australia continues to rank third in imports of Italian beer, with 79,140 hl in 2024 (down from 82,580 in 2023), representing 2.4% of total exports.

While exports registered a slight decline, imports also decreased, with the total volume in 2024 reaching 7.6 million hectolitres (-4.95%). This represents a drop of about 400,000 hl compared to the nearly 8 million hl imported in both 2023 (7.995 million hl) and 2022 (7.993 million hl). This trend reflects a gradual shift towards a beer market based on domestic production.

Germany remains the leading foreign supplier, accounting for 3.4 million hl and 44.7% of total imports. It is followed by Belgium (11.6%, with imports dropping from 1.69 million hl in 2023 to 883,000 hl in 2024), Poland (865,000 hl, 11.4% of the import market), and the Netherlands (669,000 hl).

Among non-EU countries - which collectively account for 2.74% of total imports – the United Kingdom remains the top player, providing 135,000 hl (up from 93,000 in 2023) of approximately 208,500 hl from all non-EU sources. China ranks second, with imports of 36,000 hl.

As for the overall state of the agricultural supply chain, Italy’s malt production in 2024 stood just below the previous year’s figure (77,592 tonnes vs 78,838 tonnes in 2023), remaining in line with the average of the past four years and showing a +10% increase compared to 2015 (70,500 tonnes). The best year to date remains 2019, with 81,000 tonnes produced.

Imports of roasted malt increased (4,448 tonnes vs 4,173 tonnes in 2023), as did those of unroasted malt, rising to 153.9 tonnes from 116.3 tonnes in the previous year.

Imports of hop powder or extract - almost entirely sourced from Germany (449 tonnes) - totalled 556.3 tonnes.

Even during a challenging period, the sector continues to prove solid and resilient, sustained by a beer culture that is constantly evolving and by an individual awareness that sees beer as a symbol of conviviality rather than excessive consumption.

Italian beers rank second in Europe in terms of reputation, as highlighted in the latest research by The Brewers of Europe. Local craft breweries are growing steadily, and the low-/no-alcohol segment is making great strides in innovation. However, a structural stance from legislators is eagerly awaited to finally allow Italian producers to compete on an equal footing in international markets.