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News
Western Europe beer troubles revealed
The western European beer market fell 2.5% in volume in 2009, with nearly all markets declining in what has been labelled “clearly a difficult year”.
The report from independent researcher Plato Logic showed that Heineken retained top spot globally for the 22nd successive year, with the major brewers relying on growth in emerging markets in Latin America and Asia to offset problems faced in recession-hit western Europe.
"Nearly all markets were lower in what was clearly a difficult year, with volumes in the on-trade channel falling by around 6%," said Plato director Ian Pressnell.
According to Pressnell, the premium beer market declined by more than 3% as drinkers traded down to cheaper beers in tough economic times.
The Heineken brand sold over 11 million hectolitres of beer in 2009 to retain its top spot, while Carlsberg, with nearly 8m hectolitres, leapfrogged Molson Coors’ Carling brand into second place.
Foster’s and Amstel filled fourth and fifth spots, while Carlsberg’s Kronenbourg came sixth and AB InBev’s Stella Artois seventh.
Alan Lodge, 26.05.2010