Czech beer production is to increase by 1% in the first half of this year, compared to the first six months of 2003, Jan Vesely, the chairman of the Czech Association of Beer and Malt Producers revealed. The country's beer output for the whole of 2004 is expected to rise by 2% year-on-year. According to Vesely beer production between January and April 2004 rose by 4% year-on-year, but slowed down in May due to the cool weather. In the first quarter of 2004 the Czech Republic's beer production increased by 3.6% year-on-year and reached about 3.8 million hl.

Exports of Czech breweries are expected to be boosted by the country’s accession to the European Union on 1 May. Local brewing companies predict that exports to other new EU member countries will attract the greatest increase.

16 June, 2004