Belgian beer consumption, exports decline again in 2025
Belgian brewers faced weaker domestic demand and lower exports in 2025, despite increased investments in sustainability and alcohol-free beer innovation.
BELGIUM – Belgium’s beer industry recorded another decline in both domestic consumption and exports in 2025, while the number of breweries in the country fell below 400, according to the latest annual report from industry federation Belgian Brewers.
The country exports around 70% of its beer, with international markets traditionally offsetting weaker demand at home. However, Belgian brewers experienced declines in both markets during the year.
According to Belgian Brewers, export volumes fell 4.8% to 14.2 million hectolitres in 2025, reversing the slight growth recorded a year earlier. Shipments within the European Union, which account for more than 85% of exports, declined 3.4%, while volumes outside the bloc dropped 13.7%.
Domestic beer consumption also continued its downward trend for a third consecutive year. Consumption fell 3.2% to just under 6.2 million hectolitres, with retail sales declining 2.6%. Sales through the horeca channel, which includes hotels, restaurants and cafés, dropped 4.1%.
Data released by the federation showed that beer consumption in Belgium has declined by nearly 20% over the past decade.
“Being a brewer has never been an easy trade,” Belgian Brewers chairman Lorin Pays and director Krishan Maudgal said in a joint statement.
“2025 also put our sector to the test. International turbulence put exports under pressure. Domestically, beer consumption declined. New regulations made doing business more complex. The figures in this report clearly demonstrate that reality,” they added.
The two industry leaders also expressed concern over changing perceptions surrounding alcohol consumption.
“The societal debate has also become sharper. Responsible enjoyment is increasingly being lumped together with problematic or excessive alcohol consumption. This equation is incorrect, unfair and does not do justice to the efforts of our sector,” they said.
Among Belgium’s largest export markets, shipments to France and Italy declined, while exports to Spain rose by more than 10% and volumes to Germany increased nearly 19%.
Outside the European Union, exports to key markets weakened, with shipments to the United Kingdom falling more than 24% to below 167,000 hectolitres.
Despite challenging market conditions, Belgian brewers increased investment to €213 million in 2025 from €178 million the previous year, focusing on sustainability initiatives and the development of alcohol-free products.
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