The large increase in energy and raw material costs puts the craft beer sector in Spain in a crisis situation. This is stated in the survey carried out by the Spanish Association of Independent Craft Brewers (AECAI).
According to reports from the association, 57,7% of the AECAI associates assure that the current situation of increased costs affects their business viability. In addition, 38,5% affirm that this affectation is really serious for them.
The current situation of increased costs of malts, cereals and hops as well as an element as important as energy (electricity or gas) for the sector leads to increases in the final product of 37%. In addition to basic raw materials, these cost increases are added to necessary products and services such as water, transport, bottles, boxes, etc.
Craft beer also accuses the inflationary crisis
On the other hand, the consumption and sale of craft beer has also been noted in the sector. As it is a product that is not essential, consumption has been affected. In addition, due to the rise in costs, there has been no other solution than to raise prices. The price increase has been made by 88% of craft beer manufacturing companies with increases of 5 to 15%. Only 12% of the processors have preferred not to pass on this increase in costs to the consumer.
After the pandemic crisis that seriously affected the sector, craft beer makers have now had to look for other economic solutions to guarantee their viability. Thus, 54% have sought other alternative sources of income and 35% have had to do without staff.
For all these reasons, craft beer makers are having a hard time. The vast majority of artisan factories are small or very small, recently created and lack financial resources to address these crisis situations.
