Japan: Three of four major brewers log year-on-year falls in beer sales

Three of Japan’s four major brewers logged year-on-year falls in beer and quasi-beer sales in February, data from the companies have shown, the Jiji Press reported.

Sales of beer for restaurants and bars struggled as the number of novel coronavirus infection cases remained high. Tokyo and other prefectures have been under a state of COVID-19 pre-emergency.

“Due to the prolonged coronavirus pandemic, consumer behavior has changed,” such as refraining from holding drinking parties, a source familiar with the matter said.

Sales of so-called third-segment quasi-beer have been stagnant since a liquor tax hike for the product category in October 2020.

Meanwhile, sales of beer for households grew at some companies that introduced new products or renewed existing products, thanks to steady demand for drinking at home amid the pandemic.

By volume, sales fell 12% at Sapporo Breweries Ltd. and 11% at Kirin Brewery Co. while Suntory Beer Ltd. saw its sales drop slightly.

Asahi Breweries Ltd. enjoyed an 11% increase in sales by value.

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