Brewers struggled in Switzerland over the past year, partly because of the bad weather. Beer sales shrank again, and for the first time per capita consumption fell below 50 litres. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The years-long downward trend thus continues: total beer sales fell by 1.6% to 4.5 million hectolitres in the past 2023/24 brewing year (as at the end of September), the Swiss Brewers' Association said on Thursday. Swiss breweries were hit harder: domestic output fell by 1.7% to 3.5 million hectolitres. Meanwhile, beer imports fell by 1.3% to 0.96 million hectolitres. Imported beers from abroad accounted for 21.4% of the total market. Around ten years ago, the import share had peaked at 26%. Wet weather hits thirst The bad weather has curbed the thirst for beer. Most areas of Switzerland experienced above-average rainfall in spring. There were few opportunities to enjoy a beer outside and in company, explained Brewers' Association director ...
