Top Three Corporations Dominate Global Beer Production

Recent data reveals that three major corporations account for over half of the beer produced and sold worldwide. According to a report from the hop merchant BarthHaas in Nuremberg, global beer production experienced a slight decline last year, totaling 1.64 billion hectoliters, representing a 0.6 percent drop compared to the previous year.

Leading the charge is the Belgian company Anheuser-Busch InBev, which alone produced 495 million hectoliters, equating to nearly one-third of the global beer output. Following closely are the Dutch company Heineken, which brewed 240.7 million hectoliters, and China Resources Snow Breweries, responsible for approximately 109 million hectoliters of beer.

Despite the international recognition of German beer, particularly through events like the Munich Oktoberfest, Germany's contribution to the global beer market is relatively modest. The six largest German brewing companies combined produced only 42.5 million hectoliters, highlighting the limited role Germany plays in the broader beer industry.

The pressure on smaller breweries is intensifying, as noted by the German Brewers' Association, which reported that there were still around 1,500 breweries in Germany as of 2024, with over 620 situated in Bavaria. However, BarthHaas indicates that many small to medium-sized breweries worldwide are facing increasing challenges due to rising raw material and energy costs. These financial pressures hinder their ability to implement price increases, leading to closures, mergers, and exits from the market, not just in Europe but globally.

As the beer industry navigates these hurdles, the trend towards non-alcoholic beer is also gaining momentum, particularly during the hotter months when traditional beer consumption wanes. Breweries are adapting their strategies to meet changing consumer preferences, which further illustrates the evolving landscape of the brewing industry.