Craft brewers see exports rise

U.S. craft brewers are not only taking market share away from AB-InBev and MillerCoors, they are also starting to impact brewers in other countries. Export volume was up 35.7 percent in 2014 for a total of USD 99.7 million, according to the Brewers Association (BA). Total export shipments were 383,422 barrels (450,000 hl) in 2014 – which is less than 2 percent of the total amount of craft beer brewed in the United States.

“Small and independent brewers are spreading the culture and community of craft beer around the globe,” said Bob Pease, CEO of the BA. “Beer drinkers internationally are embracing the innovation and flavours offered by American craft brewers.”

U.S. craft beer gained the most interest in Brazil, with year-on-year export growth to the country surging 64 percent. The Asia-Pacific region (excluding Japan) saw a 38 percent increase. Western Europe was up 37 percent and Canada and Japan both posted 32 percent jumps, according to the BA.

In terms of total consumption, Canada is the biggest export market for U.S. craft beer – 53 percent of all total exports, followed by Sweden with 12 percent and the UK with 10 percent. Australia and South Korea took the fourth and fifth spots, while Japan imported less craft than in previous years.

At present, about 80 small and independent craft brewers export their beers, according to the BA’s Export Development Programme.

The increase in exports goes hand in hand with a continuing surge of interest domestically. Last year, craft beers accounted for 11 percent of the total beer market.

The craft beer industry’s goal is to control 20 percent of the U.S. beer market by 2020. Last year, there were 3,418 craft breweries operating in the United States.