Washington, 29 March 2006 - Italians enjoy beer, and their beer production does not satisfy their growing thirst. Per capita consumption of beer in Italy in 2004 reached 30 liters, totaling 17.2 million hectoliters consumed. Wine instead, reached an all time low of only 50 liters per capita consumption. In 2004, beer imports increased by 4.5% surpassing 4.9 million hectoliters, making Italy the only European market where beer consumption has consistently grown since 1996.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The word beer stems from the Latin verb “bibere”, meaning “to drink”, and beer is considered to be the most ancient and widespread beverage in the world, along with tea.Western European countries, while representing a mere 6.5% of world population, consume nearly 22% of the world’s beer production.Thirty percent of Western Europe’s beer is consumed as draft beer in re-usable kegs, 33% in glass returnable bottles, 13% in disposable glass bottles, while 24% is consumed in cans.
Italians like their beer, and while they do have a beer producing industry, it certainly does not satisfy their growing thirst for the product.The latest statistics show that the yearly per capita consumption of beer in Italy is increasing, reaching over 30 liters, for a total consumption of 17.2 million hectoliters.Wine instead, has reached an all time low of only 50 liters of per capita consumption.In 2004, Italy’s beer imports increased by 4.5%, going from 4.7 to 4.9 million hectoliters.Italy is the only European market where beer consumption has consistently increased between 1996-2005.
PRODUCTION
There are presently 19 beer production plants in Italy, nine of which are located in the Center-Southern regions.The industry has over 20 thousand employees, producing 13.2 million hectoliters of beer annually, of which 850,000 hectoliters are exported.The Italian malt sector has 2 plants that in 2004 produced 56,500 tons, satisfying only 33.7% of the national beer production.The Italian beer industry also produces in country some of the most important foreign brands, under license.The number of microbreweries and brewpubs is also slowly growing in Italy.Both microbreweries and brewpubs manufacture beer, but brewpubs also offer a venue for consumption.On average, a microbrewery produces around 2,000 hectoliters of beer annually, while a brewpub typically produces 500.(Please see Table 1 for Italian Beer Production.)