Poland: Beer sales increased by 2.3% in the first quarter 2006

Polish brewing sector has sold about 5.8 million hl of beer during the first quarter of 2006, that is a 2.3% increase compared to the first quarter 2005, according Polish Brewers Association. The growth is not in accordance with earlier predictions.

Polish beer producers had a great year 2005. They sold over 5 % beer more in 2005 than a year earlier. In 2006, the growth rate is expected to be smaller, according to analysts. Sales exceeded 30m hl of the beverage, which means a 5.1 % increase in comparison to 2004. This year’s forecasts amount to 2-3 %. The Poles spent PLN 14.5 billion (EUR 3.8 billion) to buy beer in 2005. Beverages paid PLN 6 billion of taxes to the budget.

Kompania Piwowarska is the leader in Poland. The company sold 11.2 million hectolitres of beer, or 12.6 % more than in 2004, giving it 37.1 % market shares. Zywiec is the second largest brewery. Carlsberg Polska had its best year in history. Sales increased by 7 % to 4.3 million hectolitres of beer.