Belgium: Beer production increased by 11.2%, consumption fell by 2.3% in 2004
Beer production in Belgium increased by 11.2 % in 2004 compared to 2003 from 15.65 million hl to 17.41 million hl, The Association of Belgian Breweries (Brasseurs Belges) communicated on June 24.
“Rising by almost 30%, export almost reached the magic mark of 9 million hl. This figure also has to be seen in the light of the move by Interbrew’s Dutch production unit to Belgium, which explains part of the rise in exports and production,” Brasseurs Belges said. In 2004 Belgium exported 8.7 million hl of beer an increase by 29.1% compared to 2003, when Belgium exported 6.7 million hl.
France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom provided some good-looking export figures for Belgian beer. Outside the European Union, the US and Canada also scored extremely well, with an increase of 50% and more. In 2004 Belgium exported 3.3 million hl to France, 2.4 million hl to Netherlands, 1.1 million hl to Germany, 0.6 million hl to UK, 0.26 million hl to USA, 0.23 million hl to Italy, 0.16 million hl to Spain, 0.13 million hl to Canada etc.
“Pils beers remain responsible for the lion’s share of exports. But abbey-brewed beers, white beers, gueuze and fruit beers, as well as the British type of beer also performed very well. So it is no wonder that the ratio of exports continues to represent an ever-growing percentage of total production. Around about half of Belgian beer heads for a foreign destination,” according to Jurnal du Brasseur.
Belgian beers did not enjoy a brilliant year in terms of consumption in their own country. At 93 litres per capita in 2004, consumption fell by 2.3% down to 9.7 million hl from 9.9 million hl a year before. The fall in consumption cannot be attributed to the increased popularity of foreign beers, Brasseurs Belges said. Because imports also fell by 3%. Despite this, brewers remain upbeat about production and exports in particular.
“Falling consumption is not something that is happening in Belgium alone, but also across the entire western European beer-drinking belt. This has a great deal to do with the phenomenon of imports and the fusion of cultures. Migrations, worldwide tourism, media and the quest for new experiences all mean that consumers are looking for new taste sensations and are doing away with age-old traditions. Also, for many new Belgian residents, drinking beer represents a departure from their own culture. All of this takes some getting used to and requires a policy of integration… even for Belgian beer!,” Jurnal du Brasseur published in its June 2005 edition.
Breweries represent 13% of investments in the total Belgian food industry. Given the economic pressures, this is a result that generates both surprise and admiration. The increase in turnover makes the brewing sector larger than the segments for water and soft drinks in the overall food industry. Malting plants are losing turnover, but are investing more than adequately. Is this a permanent view of the future??
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