German beer sales suffer as virus restrictions bite
Official data show that beer sales in Germany were down 5.5% last year, dragged lower by lengthy closures of bars and restaurants in the coronavirus pandemic
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Beer sales in Germany were down 5.5% last year, dragged lower by lengthy closures of bars and restaurants in the coronavirus pandemic official data showed Monday.
German-based breweries and distributors sold 8.7 billion liters (2.3 billion gallons) of beer last year, the Federal Statistical Office said. That figure doesn't include alcohol-free beer or beer imported from outside the European Union.
German beer sales have been declining for years as a result of health concerns and other factors. They have now fallen 22.3% since 1993.
But last year's drop was unusually sharp, and a month-by-month breakdown pointed to the impact of coronavirus restrictions. Sales were down 17.3% in April compared with a year earlier, and 14.1% in November.
Bars and restaurants in Germany were closed from March until May, and have been closed again since the beginning of November as part of the country's current second lockdown. Major events and festivals that would usually consume large amounts of beer also have been canceled.
Sales inside Germany — which made up nearly 83% of the total — were down 5.5% last year. Exports to other countries in the EU dropped 13.1% to 778.2 million liters (206 million gallons) while those to nations elsewhere were up 3.7% to 725.3 million liters (192 million gallons).
__
Follow all AP stories on the pandemic at https://apnews.com/coronavirus-pandemic.