BERLIN —
German beer gross sales on this 12 months’s first half had been 2.7 per cent decrease than a 12 months earlier, dragged decrease by closures of bars and eating places that stretched by winter and into spring, official knowledge confirmed Friday.
German-based breweries and distributors offered about 4.2 billion litres of beer from January to June, the Federal Statistical Workplace stated. That determine would not embrace alcohol-free beer or beer imported from exterior the European Union.
Home gross sales dropped 4.9 per cent in contrast with the primary half of 2020 to three.3 billion litres. There have been steep drops of 27 per cent and 19.1 per cent respectively in January and February — in contrast with the final months earlier than the coronavirus pandemic hit Germany — however beneficial properties after that. Gross sales had been up 12.4 per cent on the 12 months in March and 11.2 per cent in June.
In distinction, first-half exports had been greater. There was a 3.5 per cent improve in exports to different EU international locations and an 11.9 per cent bounce in gross sales to nations exterior the EU.
Regional authorities in Germany began enjoyable restrictions on eating places and bars within the spring. New COVID-19 infections sank to a really low stage in early July; they’ve been creeping greater since however stay a lot decrease than in a number of different European international locations.
German beer gross sales have been declining for years on account of well being issues and different components, however the pandemic prompted an unusually sharp drop. The statistics workplace has stated that gross sales inside Germany dropped 5.5 per cent final 12 months.
