Beer production increased to 34.7 billion litres

According to Eurostat, in 2024 EU countries will produce 32.7 billion litres of beer with an alcohol content above 0.5% and a further 2 billion litres of non-alcoholic beer or with alcohol below 0.5%. This represents an increase of 0.6% and 11.1% respectively compared to 2023, a figure that reflects the sustained popularity of non-alcoholic beverages. Total production reached a record 34.7 billion litres.

Despite the overall increase, the top three in production remained unchanged. Germany holds the top spot with 7.2 billion litres (22.2% of total EU production). Spain (4 billion litres, 12.3%) and Poland (3.4 billion litres, 10.6%) follow with a notable gap. Also among the top five producers are the Netherlands and Belgium.

Interestingly, the Netherlands remains the largest exporter of beer in the EU, shipping 1.5 billion litres to foreign and domestic markets, despite a 12% drop in exports year-on-year. Germany and Belgium exported 1.4 billion litres each, while the Czech Republic and Ireland rounded out the top 5.

France retained its status as the largest beer importer in the EU with an import volume of 800 million litres. It is followed by Italy (over 700 million litres), Spain and Germany (600 million each), and the Netherlands (around 500 million).

This data was released to coincide with International Beer Day, which is traditionally celebrated on the first Friday in August. In a saturated and growing market, it was non-alcoholic beers that were the growth driver, perhaps indicating changing consumer tastes and an increasing focus on healthy lifestyles.