FRANKFURT: German beer sales fell to their lowest level on record in the first half of 2025, marking a sobering milestone for the country’s brewers.
From January to June, sales of alcoholic beer dropped 6.3 per cent year-on-year to 3.9 billion litres, the lowest since records began in 1993, according to federal statistics agency Destatis.
Domestic demand plunged 6.1 per cent to 3.2 billion litres—mirroring the sharp decline seen at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020—while exports fell by 7.1 per cent amid global headwinds.
German brewers are grappling with multiple pressures: tariffs in the US market imposed by President Donald Trump, rising geopolitical risks, and a home market increasingly cautious on spending.
“2025 is shaping up to be an extremely demanding year for us,” said Holger Eichele, head of the German Brewers’ Federation. “Uncertainty is rising for exporters, and consumers simply don’t want to spend.”
Beer consumption has been on a long-term decline in Germany due to demographic shifts and changing preferences. While non-alcoholic beer is gaining ground, it is not included in the official sales figures.
The downturn comes as Germany’s economy continues to struggle out of a prolonged slump. – AFP
