Breweries in Saxony once again sold less beer last year. Overall, sales fell by 3 percent compared to 2023 to around 666 million liters, according to figures from the Federal Statistical Office. This continues a trend that has been ongoing since 2015. Since then, sales in Bavaria have fallen by around 22% or 190 million liters. Nationwide, there was also a decline of 1.4 percent to 8.3 billion liters in 2024.
Thomas Gläser from the Saxon Brewers' Association cites changing lifestyles and demographic trends as reasons for this development. "What's more, in recent years many restaurants - especially in rural areas - have significantly reduced their opening hours or closed completely," he said.
Saxony's brewers produced the majority of their beer for domestic sale - around 604 million liters. Around 22 million liters were destined for EU countries and around 39 million liters for the rest of the international market. In addition, 486,000 liters were distributed tax-free to employees as home brew.
The end of the year brought a glimmer of hope: In December, contrary to the national trend (minus 1.6 percent), there was an increase in sales in Saxony compared to the same month last year (around 506,000 hectoliters, up 4.6 percent). "We hope that we can take this positive boost into the new year," said Gläser.
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