Beer market in Romania - statistics & facts
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The first Romanian brewery, Timișoreana, was established in 1718, marking the beginning of the beer market in Romania. Despite the market's long history, with the first written mentions of beers and brewers dating back to the Middle Ages, it has shown remarkable adaptability. Beer's popularity surged in the following centuries, leading to many breweries and better brewing systems. However, after the fall of communism in 1989, the Romanian beer market faced a challenging privatization process, resulting in the closure of many breweries.
The biggest companies in the beer production industry were Ursus and Heineken Romania, each totaling over 1,000 employees in 2023. However, despite Ursus Breweries being the market leader in revenue and employees, the company offered an average monthly salary of approximately 1,000 euros. By contrast, Heineken paid the highest average net monthly salary in the beer industry, amounting to 1,300 euros.
The volume of alcoholic beer consumption in Romania is expected to decline in the coming years, with per capita and total volumes set to drop between 8 and 14 percent. This decline indicates a shift in consumer preferences and market dynamics.
Romanians started drinking less beer
Romania's beer market revenue reached 2.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, with only a slight expected increase in the coming years. The per capita consumption of beer decreased from 99 liters in 2008 to 83 liters in recent years and is projected to drop to 67.5 liters in the future. Despite being affordable, the average beer price is anticipated to increase by 17.5 percent in the next five years.Ursus Breweries - the undisputed leader
Ursus Breweries is a key player in the Romanian beer market and has been a subsidiary of Asahi Breweries Europe since March 2017. The company began its activity in Romania in 1996 when South African Breweries purchased Vulturul Buzău. In 2023, Ursus Breweries was the most important company in the beer production industry, totaling a revenue of more than 2.6 billion Romanian lei and a net profit of 194 million Romanian lei. Ursus owns three breweries in Buzău, Timișoara, and Brașov, as well as a craft mini-brewery in Cluj-Napoca. At the same time, the company offers approximately 13 Ursus beer varieties and another ten beer brands, such as Timișoreana, Kozel, and Ciucaș.The beer industry contributes to the economy with thousands of jobs
The beer sector is a significant contributor to Romania's economic growth, not only because of the industry itself but also because of its impact on the agriculture, tourism, and retail industries. One job position in the beer production industry generated two positions in the agriculture sector. In 2022, nearly 6,000 persons were employed in the beer brewing industry, highlighting its substantial economic impact.The biggest companies in the beer production industry were Ursus and Heineken Romania, each totaling over 1,000 employees in 2023. However, despite Ursus Breweries being the market leader in revenue and employees, the company offered an average monthly salary of approximately 1,000 euros. By contrast, Heineken paid the highest average net monthly salary in the beer industry, amounting to 1,300 euros.
The volume of alcoholic beer consumption in Romania is expected to decline in the coming years, with per capita and total volumes set to drop between 8 and 14 percent. This decline indicates a shift in consumer preferences and market dynamics.
