Beer in Uruguay

PROSPECTS

Craft beer increases its share within beer, especially on-trade

In the review period, there was an increasing trend towards craft beer rather than traditional industrialised beer. Craft beer especially appeals to women, as most such beer is made with barley, and some women want to avoid wheat-based products.

Consumers demand new experiences and different presentations

Consumers are trying the new presentations being offered within beer. These are targeted mainly towards more sophisticated consumers, who are able to spend more on special new flavours and craft beers.

Currency exchange rates, inflation and demand affect prices

Although there was a strong increase in unit prices in 2018, there were big variations amongst the different types of beer. One reason for price rises was fluctuations in the exchange rate, which increased the prices of imported beer.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Fábricas Nacionales de Cerveza leads beer

With a significant distance from its competitors in the local market, Fábricas Nacionales de Cerveza (FNC) continued to lead beer in Uruguay in 2018, with well-known brands such as Pilsen, Patricia and Stella Artois. The company is part of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading brewer globally.

Continued decline for the leader due to new launches

Despite the lack of a single main competitor, Fábricas Nacionales de Cerveza’s volume share of beer declined in every year of the review period. In this period, with the increasing popularity of more sophisticated beers, there was a rise in the number of brands being launched in Uruguay.

Competition from craft beer producers set to rise

Even though Fábricas Nacionales de Cerveza (FNC) is expected to remain the leader within beer, the competition is set to increase, particularly in terms of more sophisticated and more expensive products. Craft beer producers in particular are expected to see rising shares, especially if they manage to get their products into off-trade as well as on-trade channels.

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