Eastern Europe tops the chart in beer consumption

Published: 04 Dec 2008 01:04:37 PST

According to a recent report from Canadean, one of the leading analysts for beverage industry, the per capita consumption in Eastern Europe rose by 22 ltr between 2002 and 2007. While the consumption increased strongly in Asia, growth was more modest in Central and South America and the growth in Australasia, North America and Western Europe declined. Furthermore, Eastern Europe is expected to lead proceedings in the short- to medium-term with per capita consumption in the region expected to increase by an additional 21 per cent over the next five years.

As per report, Eastern Europe's performance on the international stage has been predominantly driven by Russia - the third largest global market in pure volume terms. Here, beer continues to benefit from the consumer shift away from traditional spirits. Eastern Europe is also home to four of the world's ten heaviest beer drinking nations including the Czech Republic, which has strengthened its world-leading position.

Fuelled by westernisation and increasing consumer disposable incomes, the Chinese and African beer markets have also grown dramatically in recent years.

According to the report, the global beer market is predicted to slow down between 2008 and 2013. The per capita consumption is expected to increase at a gentler rate than in 2002 and on a regional level, only North America is expected to perform better than in the last five years.