World: Beer sales reports still showing declining volumes

China’s January-June beer sales totalled 171.4 mln hl, minus 9.5% versus the same period last year. The earlier January-May period showed a minus of 14%, June sales of 45.5 mln hl improved the annual total, H. M. Gauger GmbH reported earlier in August.

Germany saw its June beer sales decline by 1.9%, of which domestic minus 1.8%, export minus 2.2%. Total January-May beer sales dropped by 6.6%.

In Russia, January-June sales reached 39.7 mln hl, plus 0.9%; June output increased by 6% y/y.

Ukraine’s January-June beer sales were 8.9 mln hl, minus 2.3% versus last year. The malt production was down 13%.

In the US, June beer sales amounted to 15.9 mln barrels, plus 4.4% y/y. January-June sales were 82.4 mln barrels, minus 1.4%. Beer imports in January-May showed a minus of 13.5%. The Brewers Association estimates craft beer sales down 10% in 1H 20 (membership of active craft brewers grew from 7,480 to 8,217 since last year).

Japan’s beer sales (all three categories) in January-June dropped by 10%.

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