Beer is Romanians’ favorite alcoholic beverage, but they’re drinking less of it brewers say as the production costs have soared by 60 percent due to inflation and pressures caused by the war in Ukraine.
In the first eight months of the year, the beer market dropped by 4 percent compared to 2021, recovering over the summer after a slump of 10 percent in the first four months.
Romanians consumed 8 percent less beer in August, traditionally considered the main month of the summer, compared to the previous August, the Romanian Brewers’ Association said.
Blonde beer remains easily the favorite: ninety-three percent of beer consumed in Romania is blonde. Non-alcoholic beer has become more popular in the last year, with a 6 percent share of the market, while other beers account for the remaining 1 percent.
„Romania is the 8th biggest beer producer in Europe, and of course it is our desire to go higher in the rankings. This year, however, is full of challenges that stem from the difficult economic context. There is a significant increase in inflation and energy and fuel costs, but also from the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine that bring great pressures. Production costs have gone up by more than 60%, „, said Julia Leferman, General Manager of the Romanian Brewers Association.
„The local beer industry generates added value in the Romanian economy. We have 0% tax evasion and 97 percent of what we produce and sell is locally produced. Over 50% of the raw materials comes from Romania , said Mihai Voicu, the chairman of the Romanian Brewers Association.
In a study carried out in 2020 by Reveal Marketing Research, 33 percent of Romanians said they prefer beer, followed by wine which was ranked by 20 percent as their favorite alcoholic drink.
