Italy: Retail beer sales up 6.9% in value in January-May this year

Italian beer sales, in the retail channel, have grown by 6.9% in value, and by 4% in volume, during the first five months of 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, ESM reported on August 17.

According to data published by IRI, total turnover amounted to €1.2 billion, with “speciality” beers, although still representing a niche market, boosting the growth.

Light pale ales (representing 95% of sales) grew by 4.3%; flavoured beers were up by 36%, red and pale ales (+6% alcohol) grew by 14%, while weiss beer increased by 8%.

Italy is third in Europe for the number of microbreweries, producing 445,000 hectolitres in 2014, equivalent to 3.3% of the total production.

The three major players (Heineken, Peroni (SABMiller), and AB InBev), together account for 66% of the overall beer market in Italy, according to IRI.

For its part, the Italian Association of Beer and Malt Producers (Assobirra) claims that Heineken has a 28% in volume, followed by SABMiller (18.6%), AB InBev (8.7%), and Carlsberg (6.1%).

15 August, 2016