Beer ordering improved slightly in February, but remains in contraction, according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) in the latest Beer Purchasers’ Index.
Total beer posted a reading of 48, above the January reading of 43. A reading above 50 indicates increased ordering, while a reading below 50 indicates contraction.
At-risk inventory – inventory within 30 days of going out of code – posted a reading of 48. Total beer and at-risk inventory both in contraction suggests “another month of cautious ordering,” NBWA chief economist Lester Jones wrote.
Imports recorded a reading of 68, marking the 12th consecutive month the segment posted a reading of 60 or higher. February’s reading was also above the segment’s February 2023 reading of 62.
Premium light (52) was the only other segment in expansion, also improving upon its February 2023 reading (46).
Meanwhile, craft and flavored malt beverages (FMBs)/hard seltzer “continue to see soft ordering trends. Craft posted a reading of 22, significantly below its February 2022 reading of 34, marking the sixth month since the start of 2023 that the segment’s reading was below 30. FMB/hard seltzer posted a reading of 28, similarly below its 2022 reading (40) and recording its seventh month since the start of 2023 with a sub-30 reading.
The other beer segments performed as follows:
- Premium regular (48), above its February 2023 reading of 41;
- Below premium (41), below its February 2023 reading of 53;
- Hard cider (30), unchanged from its February 2023 reading.