The amount of beer at risk of expiring in the next 30 days in wholesalers’ warehouses has reached its highest level in recent months, according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s (NBWA) October Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI).
“At risk” beer recorded a BPI reading of 56, indicating that it is expanding and has been increasing since September 2022 (50) and August 2022 (54).
“The October data marks a pessimistic start to the fourth quarter of 2022 for the industry,” NBWA chief economist Lester Jones wrote. “Continued inflationary pressures and a slowing economy bring the industry to a fifth month of pause after five months of positive ordering trends in 2022.”
Total beer contracted during the month with a reading of 37.
Once again, imports were the only segment to expand with a reading of 59, marking a 10-point decline from October 2021.
Below premiums recorded the most significant growth relative to October 2021, with a 17-point increase to 47, which places it in contraction territory.
Craft beer recorded a reading of 23, “well below” its October 2021 reading of 43.
Premium lights declined seven points from October 2021, to 45 in October 2022, while premium regulars declined 10 points from last year, to 32 in October 2022.
The flavored malt beverage/hard seltzer segment recorded the steepest decline from October 2021, dropping 26 points to a reading of 18 in October 2022, the lowest of all beer category segments.
Still in contraction territory, cider’s reading increased one point from October 2021, to 30 in October 2022.