Beer sales in Germany registered a decline of 9.1% in the first quarter of 2003, against the same period last year, down to 21.8 million hl, according to a statement of Federal Statistics Office from April 29, 2003. Domestic beer sales reached 19.4 million hl in the first quarter, 10.5% down. However, beer sales in EU countries increased by 1.9% up to 1.7 million hl. The exported volumes of beer outside the EU grew by 7.2% and reached 0.6 million hl. Beer consumption in Germany is expected to fall by 10% in 2003, a spokesperson for the association of German beer brewers Deutscher Brauer-Bund said ealier in a statement.

06 May, 2003