China, Beijing: China maintained its ranking as the world's biggest beer producer in 2004 with about 29.1 million metric tonnes of beer (32 million short tons) produced. China’s beer production increased by 15.2% in 2004 compared to the previous year, according to the state-run newspaper People's Daily, citing China Beer Industry Association. However, average per capita beer consumption was about 18.9 litres (5 gallons) in 2004, remaining well behind developed countries where per capita beer consumption is about 200.6 litres (53 gallons) per year.

China has more than 400 breweries and more than 2,000 companies linked to the brewing industry across the country, the report said. China's top ten breweries accounted for 55 % of total annual output, as compared to only 22 % in 1996, and 53% in 2003.

26 February, 2005