Beer Statistics 2014: Europe’s brewers optimistic under tough market conditions

Around 350 people, among them 40 MEPs attended the launch of the European Parliament’s (EP) Beer Club, renewed for its 4th parliamentary term with a new President, German MEP Renate Sommer. On this occasion, The Brewers of Europe published the 2014 European Beer Statistics, which reveal a brewing sector that continues to show signs of recovery, but still faces constraints to growth and investment.

The Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe, Pierre-Oliver Bergeron commented “Our new data show that, despite a further decline in beer consumption in the EU in 2013, direct employment and exports remained stable, demonstrating that global demand for European beer remains high.”

In 2013, the number of active breweries expanded to well over 5,000 and continues to grow, with brewers responding to Europeans’ growing interest in the diversity and variety of beer. The beer sector is also responsible for 2 million jobs across the entire value chain, with one job in brewing creating one in agriculture, one in packaging and logistics, one in marketing and other services, one in retail and eleven in bars, pubs and restaurants.

According to Bergeron, one of the main challenges brewers continue to face were governments looking for short term solutions to the budget deficit, including through excise duty rises on beer. It was though "interesting to note that, despite all the tax increases, beer excise duty revenues actually dropped in 2013." Apparently, in 2014, a few countries had taken note of the valuable, long-term contribution a thriving beer sector can make to the overall economy, resisting the temptation to increase beer taxes or even cutting them to support a sector that creates jobs.

Bergeron added: “The latest Beer Statistics show that the shoots of recovery are real, but that we need the right regulatory conditions if we are to accelerate progress. I am therefore extremely encouraged to see so many people gathered here today. This already demonstrates awareness amongst Brussels policymakers of the importance of beer to Europe and of the role that they can play in supporting a responsible brewing sector.”