E-Malt.com News article: 1355

Belgian brewing industry showed in 2002 a slight increase in production and renewed export growth, Belgian Brewers reported at their General Meeting held on June 18, 2003. But the falling trend in domestic consumption, the pressure of
competition and the generally poor economic climate mean that brewers are showing little enthusiasm about this and the next few years. Productivity must continue to rise, but that also has consequences for employment. The sector is under pressure.

Exports rise again by 11.6%, up to a level of 42%. With an export figure of 42% of production, Belgium is definitely among the world leaders. On a timeline, exports really mushroomed between 1990 and 2002 from 19% to 42%. In 2002, Belgium had 118 firms brewing beer, a small increase compared with 2002, when 113 breweries were active.

Production up 5 %. The 2001 trend continued, with a further increase in production. The respected Canadean Report shows average production growth for Europe of 3%, with most of the growth occurring around the Baltic Sea and in
Eastern Europe. Belgium scored above that average, and therefore grew faster than any other traditional European beer country.

Beer consumption in Belgium: slight fall of 0.5%, yet Belgians are drinking more Belgian beer. In 2002, Belgians drank an average of 97 litres of beer, and in Europe, they ranked in 6th position, following Ireland, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Denmark. The United Kingdom recorded the same level of beer consumption.

In recent decades, breweries have undergone an evolution from labour-intensive to capital-intensive businesses. So it is hardly surprising that the brewing industry saw a slight fall (0.8%) in employment. For 2001, there were 5 676 jobs in breweries and 235 in malting plants.

Of course, there is also the indirect employment that grows out of the brewing industry. The importance of the sector within the Belgian economy is clear: 4,116 in the beer distribution trade and food industry; 22,500 at suppliers to the breweries; in the café, bar and restaurant sector, there are 49,958 licensees and 119,899 staff, plus another 50,400 who make deliveries.


25 July, 2003