Malaysian on-trade begs government to reopen breweries amid beer shortage

Breweries in Malaysia have remained closed for two months during phase one of the country’s national recovery plan. Now, food and beverage operators have asked the government to resume brewery operations due to a beer shortage.

As the pandemic spiked again in Malaysia this June, the country was back in lockdown and breweries were forced to close for over two months. The local food and beverage industry reported that the current beer inventory had bottomed out, and some had even been out of stock for a month.

In an interview by local newspaper Oriental Daily, the Malaysian Retailers Association commented that retailers have only been able to pick up limited quantities recently; meanwhile restaurants are starting to reopen and it is expected that the demand for bottled beer will increase accordingly.

Reports from vendors across Malaysia reveal that the beer inventory is close to running out, with some having been out of stock for nearly a month.

Although beer is a taboo subject within Muslim culture, it is widely welcomed by Malaysian Chinese, especially during traditional festivities such as the upcoming Yulan Festival, with some families and religious places using beer and dark beer as sacrifices for the spirits.

According to The Star newspaper, Malaysia-Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors Association president Wong Teu Hoon said the industry is concerned as the beer shortage would lead to revenue losses by businesses that rely on beer as a source of income.

The hope is that the government will reopen breweries, and permit them to operate at 60% capacity, following the practice of other industry factories in the country.