AB InBev Outpaces India's Beer Market in First Half of Year, Led by Premiumisation and Cans

New Delhi: AB InBev, the world's largest brewer, has outpaced India's beer market in the first half of the year, making the country one of Budweiser's top three markets globally. The strong double-digit growth came despite the West Asia conflict, which disrupted supply chains and triggered can shortages.

According Kartikeya Sharma President Inbev

According to Kartikeya Sharma, president, AB InBev India, premiumisation emerged as a key driver of beer consumption. Premium beers grew about 20% during Jan-June, buoyed.

The premium segment accounts for about 65% of the company's volumes, with brands including Budweiser, Corona and Hoegaarden key growth drivers. Also, cans are becoming an increasingly important format in India's beer market, driven.

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Companys Share 40 Reflecting Its

The company's share is at over 40%, reflecting its sharper focus. Further, the beer category is thriving particularly in states where taxes have been normalised and there is a level-playing field between beer and spirits, with Maharashtra growing about 40%, he shared.

As against this, the hard spirits category seems to be declining. Indicating a potential shift to moderation in consumer choice. Karnataka has emerged as a test case with the sale of beer below 5% ABV (alcohol).

In May, it asked manufacturers to state alcohol content to the first decimal.

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In other states, beer may simply be categorised as above or below 5% alcohol. encourages us to innovate around different consumer needs Sharma stated. A consumer may want a mid-week low-ABV beer at 2%, 2.5%, even 0%, depending on occasion.

We lead the beer category globally and have examples in many markets where low-ABV products drive participation. Karnataka gives us the ability to test that thesis, and we intend to do so. Favorable policy should ultimately give consumers more choice, more variety, different price points," Sharma stated.

In the future, if there are opportunities, capabilities we want to bring in, or innovations we first want to test through the import route, those could be areas where we benefit," he added.