Belgian beer consumption has nearly returned to the pre-pandemic level and is in line with targets set by Belgian Brewers in their 2021 annual report.
A total of 6.9 million hectolitres of beer were consumed in Belgium in 2022. The national brewers federation has said that the difference with the 7.1 million drunk in 2019 is "negligible" and falls in line with the structural decline of the past 30 years.
Despite the impact of the war in Ukraine on supply and inflation affecting the hospitality sector, Belgian brewers have been innovative. "The war has brought a series of new challenges, including the loss of two key markets, shortages in the supply chain and, above all, runaway inflation," the federation noted.
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All the same, though the consumption of Belgian beer is nearly at pre-pandemic levels, the hospitality sector is struggling to return to the 2019 level, with figures down 5.8% compared to pre-pandemic consumption.
Exports to non-EU countries have also fallen, down 5.5% in 2022 compared to 2021. While the exports within the EU continue to rise, there has still been a net reduction. Some brewers have opted for a more sustainable local approach to their beer production, the Belgian Brewers state.
