E-Malt.com News article: 3105

Japan: Beer sales in Japan jumped 10.4 % in July from the same month a year earlier, the first double-digit growth since January 1998. This is a double-digit increase for the first time in six and half years, industry data showed on August 11. The rise is attributed to the hot weather, which spurred consumption. Combined shipments of beer and "happoshu" low-malt beer by Japan's five major brewers increased 9% in July from a year earlier, the first rise in seven months, helped by this summer's heat wave in Japan, according to reports by the brewers released Wednesday, August 11. The data cover shipments by Kirin Brewery Co, Asahi Breweries Ltd, Sapporo Breweries Ltd, Suntory Ltd and Orion Breweries Ltd.

For January-July period, however, combined beer sales of the top five brewers fell 0.8 percent, the data released by the Brewers Association of Japan also showed.

The average temperature in Japan in July this year reached 28.5 C, compared to 22.8 C in July 2003, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The hot weather has energised the beer industry, which had been hit by a shift in consumer tastes towards new, cheaper drinks such as those based on shochu -- distilled alcohol made from materials like sweet potatoes -- and Sapporo Holdings Ltd.'s beer-like "Draft One" drink.


14 August, 2004