World Beer Market growth slows to 1.7 % in 2008 (provisional)

Following recent M&A activity, notably the recent creation of A-B InBev, Plato Logic have now prepared an updated Top 10 World Brewers league table, based pro forma 2008 volumes (latest estimates).

A-B InBev takes the number 1 spot, ahead of SABMiller, Heineken and Carlsberg. The new ‘Big 4’ have established a clear lead, with combined market share estimated at 50 percent (pro forma 2008), followed by MCBC, Tsingtao, Modelo, Beijing Yanjing, Femsa and Kirin.

For 2009, Plato Logic currently estimates another year of low growth. Commenting on the outlook, Ian Pressnell said: “Since 1980, the World Beer Market has only seen one year of decline; we remain cautiously optimistic that 2009 will see a positive development, although the outcome in China may significantly influence the ‘headline’ figure.”