E-Malt.com News article: Czech Republic: Czech beer output up at record 9.9 million hl in H1

Czech breweries put out a record 9.94 million hectolitres of beer in the first half of the year, a year-on-year growth of more than 4 percent, Czech Beer and Malt Association head Jan Vesely has told CTK, August 9.

Sales increased on both the Czech market and abroad. The growth was mainly thanks to warm weather, Vesely said, adding some brewers broke monthly records.

Rodinny pivovar Bernard put out more than 73,000 hectolitres of beer in the first half, up by 6.4 percent on the year.

"Compared with the same months in the previous years, we saw the best results in May, April and June," said Bernard spokesman Zdenek Mikulasek.

Budejovicky Budvar, the third largest Czech brewer, raised sales on the Czech market and abroad by around 11 percent to 611,507 hectolitres of beer in the first six months.

Weather continues to benefit beer sales, said Vesely, adding the third quarter affects full-year results the most.

Czech beer output will certainly reach the magic level of 20 million hectolitres this year given the first-half results, he said. Last year, output amounted to a record 19.8 million hectolitres.

Retailers also say this year's summer benefits beer sales. Peter Vrazba from retail chain Tesco Stores CR said beer sales grow by up to 50 percent on warm sunny days when temperature exceeds 25 degrees centigrade.

Apart from bottled beer, demand grows also for beer in cans which customers like to take with them on holidays, Vrazba added.


10 August, 2007