Beer in the Czech Republic

PROSPECTS

Hot summer helps revive beer consumption

After a decline in the previous year, total volume beer consumption in the Czech Republic experienced a positive development, which was mainly due to a long and hot summer. However, the amount of beer consumed in the on-trade continued to decline during 2018.

Flavoured non-alcoholic beer and non-alcoholic mixed lager record strong growth

Both non-alcoholic beer and mixed lager benefitted from the hot summer, with consumers seeking refreshing alcoholic drinks with a low alcohol content, as well as from the wellness trend spreading in the country, with a rising number of active sportspeople. Non-alcoholic beer is expected to continue growing over the forecast period, stimulated by novel fruit and herbal combinations, such as the interesting extension launched by Plzenský Prazdroj in 2018: Birell Botanicals Apple, Ginger with Chamomile.

Rising sales of beer in cans

Glass remained the leading packaging type for beer in the country, but metal beverages cans recorded rising popularity among Czech consumers, due to their convenience, over 2017-2018. Breweries reported a strong increase in production of beer in cans during 2018.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Big breweries make sales gains in 2018

The top four companies – Plzenský Prazdroj, Pivovary Staropramen, Heineken Ceská Republika and Budejovicky Budvar – all increased their total volume sales in 2018 and all also continued to be very successful with their exports. Plzenský Prazdroj remained the leading player in beer in the Czech Republic and increased sales of its popular domestic premium lagers Pilsner Urquell and Radegast Ryze Horka (Genuinely Bitter), domestic mid-priced lager Velkopopovicky Kozel Medium and non-alcoholic beer Birell in 2018.

Small local breweries continue to record good results

Small domestic breweries attracted more consumers, emphasising their traditional brewing methods and offering new speciality beer products. Among the biggest ones are Pivovar Svijany and Rodinny pivovar Bernard.

Private label still has limited consumption

Private label continued to have a marginal presence in beer in the Czech Republic in 2018. The most successful private label products remained ones offered by the discounters chain Lidl.

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