In the last year beer production and consumption in Spain they grew a 4,3% or with a 3%, respectively. Driven by the increase in tourism sector in the country, especially.
In 2016 the better beer consumption, sales and production figures in Spain of the last ten years. This increase occurred with the maintenance of the hotel industry as the main channel of consumption of this drink (64%). Although the level of consumption in volume of before the crisis has not yet been reached. With a moderate consumption pattern, typical of the Mediterranean culture (46,4 liters).
Thanks to tourism record -more than 75 million foreign tourists visited Spain in 2016-. Also to the good weather, la fiscal stability and the generalization of a climate of trust in the economy.
With all that, the beer consumption in Spain exceeded 38,6 million hectoliters in the last year. Most of the consumption took place outside the home, in bars and restaurants. With a share of 64% in volume, which in value represents 86%.
“Beer is the most consumed cold drink in the hotel industry, representing 46% of total consumptions. It can represent 25% of the billing of the hotel establishments. Up to 40% for premises with less than 10 employees. These represent 97% of the hotel and catering establishments "
That is what the secretary general of the Spanish Federation of Hoteliers, Emilio Gallego.
Beer consumption on the rise
In parallel with consumption, the sector grew in beer production and sales. There was the biggest rise since 2006, before the start of the economic crisis. In 2016 the beer companies in Spain they produced 36,5 million hectoliters of beer, 4,3% more than the previous year. This positions Spain as fourth beer producer in the European Union.
Sales also grew (3,4%) to reach 34,4 million hectoliters sold. By geographical areas, Andalusia, southern Extremadura, Ceuta and Melilla they constitute the area with the highest beer sales. With more than eight million hectoliters sold, followed by the center of the peninsula, where 7,5 million hectoliters were sold. On the other hand, in Canary Islands It is where beer sales grew the most in 2016, with a rise of 9,6%.
Beer sales outside the country's borders they also follow a growth path. They have increased by 261% in the last decade to reach 2,4 million hectoliters exported in 2016, being the main destinations Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, China and the United Kingdom.
Commitment to sustainability: the Spanish countryside and the environment
The contribution of the beer sector to the economy begins in the first link of the process. With the cultivation of its main ingredients: hops and barley. In the making of the beer all the hops are used. Practically all of the malt which occurs in Spain.
In 2016, about a million kilos of cultivated hop flower were harvested. As well as about a million tons of barley, of which around 70% were selected. That to produce about 485.000 tons of malt.
“90% of the raw material used by the beer sector in the production of this drink is of national origin. A sign of their firm commitment to the Spanish countryside, ”indicates Carlos Cabanas Godino, general secretary of Agriculture and Food.
Furthermore, the The beer sector is a pioneer in reducing the impact of the packaging it uses. In 2016, the recovery rate reached 82% (3,9% more than in 2015). In turn, the use of renewable energy In the sector, it continues to increase, reaching 2016% of energy from renewable sources in 56.
At the same time, the ratio of energy consumption (27%), water consumption (5%) was reduced. Also CO2 emissions (28%) and wastewater emissions (3%).
Un Mediterranean and responsible consumption pattern
La beer is a social drink that the Spanish consume in hostelry and a Social context. Its consumption in the hospitality industry is distributed between every day of the week and at different times of the day. It is the afternoon, the aperitif and the meals are the main ones. In addition, the beer consumption is linked to gastronomy. Up to 84% of Spaniards usually accompany their beer with something to eat.
This pattern of beer consumption Mediterranean is reflected in the per capita consumption data in Spain. This is one of the lowest in the European Union: 46,4 liters. Another proof that Spaniards consume beer for its flavor and properties and not for its alcoholic content.
Spain is the leader in the production and consumption of non-alcoholic beer in the European Union. More than 14% of the beer consumed by Spaniards is of the non-alcoholic variety.
