Beer industry in Europe: key to the economy despite challenges

Beer industry in Europe: key to the economy despite challenges

In the middle of all challenges - whether pandemic, rising production costs or the creeping consumption supply - the European brewing industry proves to be an economic power pack more than ever! A brand new report by "Europe Economics" reveals amazing facts that show the true weight of the beer industry in the EU. Who would have thought that the cool, foamy drinks secure so many lives and existence?

published in Brussels on Wednesday, the study by "The Brewers of Europe" shows that the beer industry guarantees directly and indirectly over two million jobs in the EU - that is a proud 1 percent of the total employment in Europe (database 2022)! This impressive job engine consists of around 118,000 jobs in breweries, 217,000 in agriculture, where grain and hops are cultivated, as well as 220,000 in retail and around 1.5 million in the hospitality industry, which has not yet healed all wounds due to the crisis.

a financial heavyweight

The numbers speak a clear language: In 2022, Europeans spent a whopping 110 billion euros for beer! These expenses have enabled the industry to add over 52 billion euros. In addition, the tax revenue bubbles - last year alone, they added up to over 40 billion euros, including 7 billion euros in consumption taxes and 12.5 billion euros in sales tax from beer enjoyment in the hospitality industry! While production costs have increased by up to 25 percent since 2019, the beer sector always remains innovative and continuously expands its product range. Non -alcoholic beer? A growing trend that the breweries meet!

"The breweries play a central role in the European economy, are firmly linked to the regions, create jobs and support growth," says Julia Leferman, general secretary of "The Brewers of Europe". However, the environment remains challenging for the brewing industry. "Consumption taxes increase and the production costs explode," she complains. The solution? A clear call to the legislators to create the political framework so that the brewers can continue to develop their positive influence on the European economy.

Germany's brewing industry at the top

with 1,490 breweries, mainly in the craft and medium -sized area, and an annual production of 8.4 billion liters, Germany is the undisputed beer giant in Europe. Innovative trends such as non -alcoholic beer and Germany is at the top with over 800 non -alcoholic brands brewed after the purity requirement! "Soon, every tenth beer in Germany will be non-alcoholic," predicts the general manager of the German Brewer Federation, Holger Eichele. An incredible development: the production of non -alcoholic beer types has even more than doubled since 2007!

The signs of the brewing industry are so on growth and diversity! More and more breweries are expanding their portfolios and successfully relying on soft drinks. "The German brewing industry is innovative, diverse and therefore more resistant," says Eichele.

This study by "Europe Economics" is a lively wake -up call: the brewing industry is much more than just a beverage supplier! It is an important industry, an employer and a symbol of European culture and community!