Media Release

from Plato Logic Limited, October 8th 2019

• World Beer Market grows +1.5% in 2018
• Low growth also forecast for 2019 and 2020
• Updated Top 10 Brewers table announced

Beer market specialists Plato Logic are currently projecting low growth for the World Beer Market in 2019. After 2015 and 2016 saw the first annual declines in world beer consumption for over 30 years, there was a modest recovery in both 2017 and 2018, with Plato Logic’s latest outlook being for a further +1.1% growth in 2019.

Commenting on the latest projections Ian Pressnell, Director of Plato Logic noted: “It appears that the world beer market is entering a phase where the ‘new normal’ is for very low growth. With emerging market growth slowing and competition from a range of sources, innovations such as ‘craft’ and ‘nablab’ can only compensate so far. This means that looking ahead we are projecting sub-2% annual growth as the ‘new normal’, rather than holding out the prospect of a return to the long-term +2-3% that had been the industry’s benchmark over the last 30 years.”

The following table summarises Plato Logic’s projected volume growth by region for the World beer market in 2019 and 2020:

Mexico is poised to overtake Germany to become the fourth largest beer market by volume in 2019.

Plato Logic’s latest World Beer Report also highlights a number of key industry metrics, including:

• Total industry value, measured as ‘net ex-brewery’ reached $US 177.4bn in 2018

• The total premium sector reached 372mhl in 2018 (19.0% share of global beer consumption), with annual growth of +5.8%.

• Cans were again the fastest growing packaging format in 2018 – indeed the only format showing any significant growth over the last five years. The volume of beer in cans has reached 575mhl and is now approaching 30% of consumption.

​Plato Logic have also released an updated Top 10 World Brewers league table (based pro forma 2018 volumes):

World’s Leading Brewers, pro forma 2018, million hl

Source: Plato Logic Limited, October 2019.

Notes to chart: volumes adjusted for merger of A-B InBev and Efes interests in Russia/Ukraine. All adjustments relating to SABMiller transaction reflected full year. Heineken and Kirin figures adjusted for transfer of Brasil Kirin business. [Some deals may be pending regulatory approval.]

Source: Plato Logic Limited, October 2019.

Plato Logic’s latest annual “World Beer Report” was published 7^th October and contains 2019 projections for all world beer markets. Published every year since 1994, the Plato Logic “World Beer Report” is a standard source of reference used throughout the international brewing and allied industries.

For further information on Plato Logic’s “World Beer Report” please visit http://platologic.co.uk, http://eshop.platologicwebshop.co.uk,

or email sales.plato@platologic.co.uk

About Plato Logic Limited: Established in 1992, Plato Logic Limited is a leading specialist supplier of beer market intelligence. We provide a comprehensive range of international beer industry data: for more information please visit our website, http://platologic.co.uk

Plato Logic 25 years in 2017

October, 2019                                                 ENDS

For further information regarding this press release, please contact: sales.plato@platologic.co.uk