E-Malt.com News article: 2835

Belgium, Brussels: At its general meeting on 23 June 2004, the ‘Belgian Brewers’ announced the results of the brewery sector for 2003. These results show that consumption has remained stable and that exports continue to grow strongly. Belgium has thus strengthened its well-earned image of a "beer paradise". In addition, brewers are the most important investors in the food industry and according to the planning office, they have a real impact on GNP and on direct and indirect employment.

The general tendency of the results for 2003, covering 115 breweries, show a degree of stabilization in consumption, a dynamic export market and rising imports. After a difficult period in the nineties, the brewery sector has regained its balance.

Although exports rose less steeply than in 2002, a new record was set in 2003 with more than 6.7 million hl of Belgian beer sold outside the country, that is to say 199,000 hl more than in 2002. Overall 43.05% of production went abroad, 92% of which to European Union countries. It should be noted that Belgium sold 38.4% more beer to the United States; as a result, Belgium is the seventh international country to export beer to the USA.

Imports rose steeply compared to the previous year with 279,000 hl more foreign beer imported. The amount of imported beer exceeded 10% for the first time. Imports of German beer were especially popular.

Although consumption increased slightly by 33,814 hl, beer consumption in Belgium remained stable at 96 litres per capita. Pils, geuze and fruit beers are doing extremely well. The general tendency noted on the market earlier has been confirmed. There is an increase in consumption at home (+ 1.09%, i.e. 44.09%) and a decrease in consumption in hotels, cafes and restaurants (-1.09%, i.e. 55.91%).

The general meeting of the Belgian brewers has appointed a new chairman, Theo Vervloet. Theo Vervloet is born in 1946, graduated in marketing and distribution and has a technical engineering degree in biochemistry and foodstuffs. His experience with several Belgian brewers dates back to 1972. He is currently Managing Director of Affligem Brewery NV in Opwijk. His position as chairman of the federation of Belgian Brewers is valid for a period of three years.

Based on the revised NACEBEL 20031, investments by breweries rose by 9.3% compared to 2002 and are now in first place in the Belgian food industry. This is remarkable as the average level of investment in the food industry fell by 3.58%. The turnover of the breweries also rose by 6.4% and the turnover in the malting
sector rose by 7.6%, while the average growth of the food sector was 1.85%

Direct employment in the sector has remained stable in recent years (5,676 in 2001). Indirect employment generated by the beer sector is more important taking account of segmented distribution and beer consumption at various (food/catering). Direct and indirect employment is estimated to be 76,034, nearly 2% of total employment in Belgium. According to figures of the Federal Planning Office 2 , the brewery sector is directly and indirectly responsible for 2.11% of GNP.

The ‘Belgian Brewers’ federation is one of the oldest professional associations in the world and covers all breweries in the country. Its most important task is to defend the general interests of the brewery sector economically and socially. The federation acts as an official spokesman for the brewery sector vis-à-vis regional, national, European and international authorities. Its field of activity includes any issues considered as important for the brewery industry especially the promotion of beer, prevention and health and general beer quality.


25 June, 2004