Optimistic start of the year for beer market

The beer market went up by 0.6% in the first two months of this year compared with the same time in 2010, according to ZF's calculations based on the data supplied by the National Statistics Institute (INS).

The good results were registered in February, that is a 3.1% increase considering January saw a decline.

The total beer market amounted to 17 million hectolitres last year, 3.4% below the 2009 level, according to the Romanian Brewers' Association (which includes Bergenbier, Heineken Romania, Romaqua Group, United Romania Breweries, Ursus, Souflet Malţ Romania and the Association of the Hops Producers of Romania), which account for 90% of this volume. The 17 million hectolitres mean 340 0.5 litre cans a year drunk by 10 million people (who might drink such a beverage), that is almost one can per day.