Japan: Beer shipments down in February, third-category beer still gaining popularity

Japan’s domestic shipments of beer and beer-like drinks dropped 6.3 percent to 29.25 mln cases last month as compared to February 2009, Kyodo News International posted on March, 9.

The volume reported for February 2010 shows the lowest level for the month since 1992 when statistics began to be compiled.

Regular beer shipments slipped 7.7 percent. Shipments of low-malt ''happoshu'' beer declined 16.2 percent, while those of inexpensive, so-called third-category beer-like alcoholic drinks posted a 3.7 percent gain.

10 March, 2010