Global beer production drops by 1.4 billion liters in 2025 – Germany, ranked sixth, also affected

Africa and South America as growth drivers

Nevertheless, these gains could not offset the declines in established markets. "Wachstum in Afrika, Asien sowie Mittel- und Südamerika dürfte durch Rückgänge in Europa und Nordamerika aufgezehrt werden", the analysis states. The situation on the hop market therefore remains tense.

Mexico was able to increase its output significantly to nearly 15 billion liters, but likewise could not compensate for the US slump. The People's Republic of China continues to lead the list of the largest beer producers, followed by the USA, Brazil, Mexico and Russia.

Germany held its position as the sixth-largest beer producer with 7.9 billion liters. While the country trails the five heavyweights, it produces considerably more than many other European states.

Hops are also on the decline

The impact on hops is even more severe than on beer. The global cultivation area shrank by 5.5 percent to 52,660 hectares. The harvest volume fell by 3.8 percent to 109,188 metric tons.

Despite this adjustment, experts still see a surplus. "Die Produktion überstieg auch 2025 den Bedarf", says Heinrich Meier of BarthHaas. In Germany as well, where hops play a central role, only a small fraction of the beer needed worldwide is brewed, at 1.8 billion liters.

The world's largest hop trader, BarthHaas, headquartered in Nuremberg, evaluates production data from breweries worldwide for its annual report. This year's analysis shows that the decline in consumption in industrialized countries is weighing on the global balance sheet more heavily than the growth signals from emerging markets.

In view of the persistently weak demand in Europe and North America, the company expects that the situation on the hop market will not ease in the short term. The reduction in cultivation areas and harvest volumes is a response to the imbalance between supply and demand.