The bitter facts

More than a quarter of a million jobs have been lost in two years as a result of the growing tax burden and impact of the economic crisis on beer, damaging the European economy as a whole.

According to an Ernst & Young and Regioplan study on behalf of the Brewers of Europe, beer consumption fell 8 percent from 2008 to 2010, cutting 260,000 jobs, 85 percent of which were lost in the hospitality sector. Beer sales fell by 15 percent in the hospitality sector, compared to 4 percent in retail outlets.

Government revenues from the sector, including excise duties collection, fell a staggering 6 percent in one year, from EUR 54 billion in 2008 to EUR 50.6 billion in 2009, in spite of tax increases on beer across a number of countries.

Although the overall contribution of beer to the EU economy has decreased by 10 percent since 2008, the contribution of the brewing sector to the economy remains very significant, Ernst & Young says.

Production and consumption of beers still provides more than 2 million jobs across Europe whilst total annual sales equal around EUR 106 billion. Despite tough times, the number of breweries multiplied to over 3,600 last year, from just over 3,000 in 2008. Non-alcoholic beer sales have also increased in some countries.

“The study underlines the fact that the brewing sector has resilience, remains a global leader and has a very positive impact on the European economy,” commented Alberto Da Ponte, President of The Brewers of Europe, which represents the 3,600 breweries across Europe.

The report presents consolidated data on the 27 EU Member States. Detailed information is also provided on the EU 27 countries plus Croatia, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.

The full report and a short leaflet are available at: www.brewersofeurope.org/asp/publications/index.asp.