The beer sales in Romania increased by 6.5% year-on-year in 2015, to 15.8 million hectoliters, according to data from the Brewers of Romania Association.

The local beer market returned to growth in the first half of 2015, after two years of decline. The consumption increased to 80 liters per capita last year, up from 74 liters the year before.

More than 97% of the beer in Romania is produced locally, and over 70% of the agricultural raw materials used to produce beer come from Romania. The beer sector generates some 85,000 jobs, directly and indirectly.

“Last year represented a solid base for the beer market. We hope that this will allow the brewing sector to keep having a sustained contribution to the Romanian economy,” said Constantin Bratu, general manager of the Brewers of Romania Association.

The Association’s members made investments of EUR 55.5 million last year. Their total investments so far amount to EUR 1.35 billion.

Last year, the beer imports decreased by 0.1 million hectoliters compared to 2014, to 0.35 million hectoliters. On the other hand, the exports registered a slight increase of 0.2 million hectoliters, reaching 0.5 million hectoliters.

The Brewers of Romania Association gathers the most important beer producers in Romania, namely Ursus Breweries, Heineken Romania, Bergenbier, United Romanian Breweries Bereprod (Tuborg), Martens Galati, and the Clinica de Bere microbrewery. Together, the six brewers employ 3,700 people and provide more than 80% of the beer consumed in Romania.

A pint of beer is more than three times cheaper in Romania than in the UK

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com