Ireland: Craft beer now holds 3% market share in Ireland - report

Irish craft beer now holds a 3% market share, according to a newly released Bord Bia report.

According to the report, both consumption and production market shares have each increased by more than 500%. In 2012, the craft beer category recorded consumption market share of just 0.6%, in 2017 that figure reached 3.0%. In terms of production, craft beer rose from 0.4% in 2012 to 2.3% in 2016.

The number of craft breweries in Ireland has again grown by more than 500% in the last five years, with 72 now in operation, up from just 15 in 2012. Employment in these facilities exceeded 500 for the first time ever as of 2016, increasing employment in local and rural communities.

Output from these breweries has also grown significantly, from 37,000 hl in 2012 to more than 176,000 hl in 2016, representing growth of almost 475%. The volume of production aimed for export is estimated at 22%, or 39,000 hl.

Denise Murphy, Beverage Sector Manager at Bord Bia, said: “While it is acknowledged that the Irish craft beer category is still very young and that these levels of growth are from a low base, the growth has been sustained over a number of years and looks set to maintain its upward trajectory. As the category expands, the importance of export business increases for the sector. Demand for craft beer is rising in most markets around the world, driven by consumer preferences for premium product and artisan production.”

To further explore the opportunities arising from the continued international interest in premium craft alcohol beverages, Bord Bia will once again host Marketplace International in April 2016. This meet-the-buyer event will provide an opportunity for suppliers verified as Origin Green to meet with distributors and buyers from Ireland and around the world. The event is set to take place on April 12th 2018 in the RDS in Dublin.

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .