Japan: March beer sales fall by 29% in Japan

Sales of beer and quasi-beer products in Japan in March fell an estimated 29 pct from a year earlier in volume terms, according to data released by four major brewers on April 10, Jiji Press reported.

The slump came after a year-before rise that reflected a last-minute demand surge ahead of industry-wide price hikes that took effect in April 2025.

Last month, beer and quasi-beer sales declined 31 pct for household consumption and 23 pct for commercial use.

By product type, sales of beer fell 23 pct, and those of "happoshu" quasi-beer products dropped 28 pct.

Sales of "third-segment" beer-like alcoholic beverages declined a steeper 41 pct, as they are relatively inexpensive and sensitive to price changes.

10 April, 2026