Aug. 2 - Italian breweries look abroad in a time when there domestic sales decrease, but foreign demand increases. Exports continue to grow, moving from Europe to America and increasing by 2.7% in the first four months of 2013. In this context, breweries are optimistic about the summer season, which is traditionally a strategic confirmation of earlier trends. In 2012, according to data released by AssoBirra, 13.4 million hectoliters of beer (+0.5%) were produced, the second best result ever, after the 2013 peak. Of these, about 15% was exported, while the rest met 65.1% of domestic demand. Good results were also recorded in the production of malt, at 649,140 tons (+3.1% compared to the 629,681 tons of 2011), fully absorbed by the Italian industry. The European brewing industry showed a "slower" trend than the Italian one: 2013 EU27 plus Switzerland and Norway production stands at -0.4% on 2011. Italy confirms itself as the tenth European manufacturer, in a ranking led by Germany, Great Britain and Poland, but preceding countries such as Austria, Denmark and Ireland. "Exports - says the president of AssoBirra, Alberto Frausin - represent a highlight of our industry. Between 2006 and 2011 exports increased by 160%; in 2012 we recorded a substantial balance from previous years and this is a source of pride for a product that is generally made with domestic raw materials." The first partial data for companies associated with AssoBirra shows exports up 2.7% in the first four months of 2013. An absolutely positive fact in a European contraction context for consumer spending, where the increase in exports leads to an increase in Italy’s beer market share in Europe.

THE SECTOR

The brewing industry, despite continued difficulties, confirms its excellence as an integral part of Made in Italy food and beverages. In 2012, 16 plants (14 industrial and 2 malting) and more than 500 microbreweries from across the country (confirming the positive and renewed entrepreneurial spirit of the country) produced a total of 13 million and 482 thousand hectoliters (+0.5%) of beer, while the per capita consumption was 29.5 liters, a 1% decrease compared to 2011 and still far from pre-crisis levels. Another positive note is the 4.4% growth in employment for the sector. Finally, after years of double-digit growth, exports stabilized, remaining slightly below the 2 million hectoliters (1,990,000 hl), a figure first reached in 2011.