TOKYO (Nikkei)–Shipments of beer and beer-like beverages rose 13% on the year to 21.96 million cases in January, marking the first double-digit monthly increase in 23 months, according to figures released Monday by five major beer producers.
One case of beer contains the equivalent of 20 633ml bottles.
Beer shipments increased 11.3%, while shipments of “happoshu” low-malt beer rose 13.3% and so-called “third beers” jumped 11.5%.
Regular beer fell slightly from last year to account for only 49.9% of the total beer market, while lower-priced beer-like beverages accounted for 32.4%, followed by happoshu at 17.8%.
Shipments plunged in January after breweries accelerated shipments at the end of 2009.