Czech Republic: In 2003 Czech beer consumption per capita is forecasted to outstrip 2002, Jan Vesely the chairman of the Czech Association of Beer and Malt Producers, said. The increase is attributed to the hot summer in 2003. In 2002, the average beer consumption per capita in the Czech Republic registered 162 litres. Czechs have the highest consumption of beer per capita in the world. Beer output in the Czech Republic for 2003 is expected to reach 18.5 million hectolitres, according to estimates from the Association of Beer and Malt Producers, with exports expected to beat 2 million hectolitres.

13 January, 2004