Belgian beer exports decline again in 2024

Belgium’s brewing sector saw beer volumes drop again last year, both at home and globally, new figures from a local trade body show.

Total export volumes dropped 3.4% in 2024 to 14.5m hectolitres according to the industry association Belgian Brewers’ annual report.

Within the EU, exports declined by 2.6% to 12.4m hectolitres, while exports outside the EU saw an 8% decrease to roughly 2m hectolites.

Despite the challenges, the trade body said that Belgian beer continues to be a “popular” export product, with 70% of production sold internationally.

The dip is a slight improvement on 2023 figures, when the sector booked a 7.5% drop in export volumes at 15m hectolitres.

Domestic consumption meanwhile dropped 2.1% to 6.39m hectolitres. Beer sales in Belgium’s hospitality sector fell by 2.9%, while supermarket sales saw a 1.5% decrease.

Despite the dip, it was also improvement on the 6% drop in domestic consumption recorded in 2023.

Trade body director Krishan Maudgal said: “The figures are down, but less sharply than in 2023. However, we cannot yet speak of a real turnaround in the trend. Stability and a predictable business climate are essential to ensure a sustainable future for our sector.”

Belgium’s brewing sector however is witnessing a “structural decline” in its domestic market, Belgian Brewers said, with overall consumption in the country having nearly 20% “over a ten-year period”.

“The persistent pressure on purchasing power, rising costs, and the uncertain geopolitical context are clearly reflected in the annual figures,” the trade body said.

In 2024, six breweries shuttered their doors, reducing the total number of breweries to 411 by the year’s end.

The brewing sector continues to be an “important driver” to the Belgian economy, Belgian Brewers said, contributing €4bn or approximately 1% of the country’s GDP, according to the country’s Federal Planning Bureau.

Alongside the release of its 2024 annual report, Belgian Brewers called on policymakers “to strengthen the stability and predictability of the business environment”, in order “to ensure continued investment in innovation, sustainability, and quality”.

ESM