The Ibec trade association that represents beer producers in Ireland, Drinks Ireland|Beer, has released figures from Revenue that show that beer sales decreased by 15% year-on-year in Ireland during the first nine months of 2020.
Draught Beer Sales
The figures show that draught beer sales decreased by 57% year-on-year during the nine month period, and by 93% during the second quarter of 2020 specifically.
Draught beer sales were particularly hard-hit because they take place in the on-trade sector, which has been closed for a substantial portion of this year due to health and safety measures to attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
According to Drinks Ireland|Beer, approximately 63% of beer that is sold in Ireland is usually sold in the on-trade sector.
Head of Drinks Ireland|Beer Statement
Head of Drinks Ireland|Beer Jonathan McDade stated, "These figures show that, despite some commentary to the contrary, consumption declined as a result of COVID-19 and the closure of pubs. Ireland's beer sector has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19, because of the large proportion of beer usually consumed in the on-trade in Ireland."
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