Aug. 2 – Italian breweries look abroad in a time when there domestic sales decrease, but foreign demand increases. Exports continue to grow, moving from Europe to America and increasing by 2.7% in the first four months of 2013. In this context, breweries are optimistic about the summer season, which is traditionally a strategic confirmation of earlier trends. In 2012, according to data released by AssoBirra, 13.4 million hectoliters of beer (+0.5%) were produced, the second best result ever, after the 2013 peak. Of these, about 15% was exported, while the rest met 65.1% of domestic demand. Good results were also recorded in the production of malt, at 649,140 tons (+3.1% compared to the 629,681 tons of 2011), fully absorbed by the Italian industry. The European brewing industry showed a “slower” trend than the Italian one: 2013 EU27 plus Switzerland and Norway production stands at -0.4% on 2011. Italy confirms itself as the tenth European manufacturer, in a ranking led by Germany, Great Britain and Poland, but preceding countries such as Austria, Denmark and Ireland. “Exports – says the president of AssoBirra, Alberto Frausin – represent a highlight of our industry. Between 2006 and 2011 exports increased by 160%; in 2012 we recorded a substantial balance from previous years and this is a source of pride for a product that is generally made with domestic raw materials.” The first partial data for companies associated with AssoBirra shows exports up 2.7% in the first four months of 2013. An absolutely positive fact in a European contraction context for consumer spending, where the increase in exports leads to an increase in Italy’s beer market share in Europe.
