The Swiss beer market recovered in 2021/22 thanks to particularly sunny spring and summer weather, combined with the lifting of restrictions linked to Covid-19. On the other hand, the situation remains tense on the supply front.
During the financial year ended at the end of September, brewing production rebounded by 6.2% to 4.7 million hectoliters, just below the pre-pandemic level. The increase is to be credited exclusively to Swiss breweries (+9.0% to 3.6 million), while imports fell once more (-2.2%), remaining just above the bar of one million hectolitres, specified the ASB.
The share of catering sales rose to almost 33%, compared to 24% the previous year due to protective measures linked to Covid-19. “There have been many opportunities to enjoy a beer on the terrace of a restaurant or by the lake in recent months,” said the president of the umbrella organization, Nicolo Paganini, quoted in a press release.
The public’s enthusiasm for non-alcoholic beers was once once more confirmed. With an increase of 20.6% to more than 265,000 hectoliters sold, this segment now represents 5.7% of the market – more or less in line with the European average – and the ASB predicts “strong growth in the future “.
At a press conference, its director Marcel Kreber recalled that this share was only 2% ten years ago. According to him, the 10% mark should be crossed in the next four to five years. However, this type of product requires considerable know-how, technology and investment, which tends to exclude the smallest breweries from this segment.
Situation still tense
Despite the improvement in sales, the economic situation of the breweries remains “extremely tense”, due in particular to the energy required for the production process, bottling and logistics. Despite the measures put in place to optimize energy consumption, the sharp rise and volatility of prices are weighing on the division’s profitability.
Added to this are episodes of shortage of raw materials, but also of packaging and containers, which result in unpredictable delivery times. “At the moment, no improvement in the supply and price situation is yet in sight,” laments the SBA.
“Our members have individually made price increases in recent weeks,” Kreber said, without however wanting to articulate an average amount, as each brewery faces a different situation with its different suppliers, some taking advantage of fixed prices, for example. under long-term supply contracts.
Asked regarding the expected impact of the absence of the FIFA World Cup, the 2022 edition of which in Qatar is being played following the end of the brewing year, and what is more during a period less favorable than usual to the consumption of beer outside, the boss of the ASB wants to be calm and quantifies this effect at “less than 1%”.
During the year under review, the umbrella organization welcomed five new members, including one from Valais (7Peaks) and one from Ticino (Officina della Birra), bringing the total to 35 breweries whose annual production exceeds 1,000 hectolitres. The branch claims a turnover of “more than 1 billion francs” and represents some 3,000 direct jobs.
This article has been published automatically. Source: ats/awp
