Views: 365 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-07-10 Origin: Site
Consumers have always had a long and happy relationship with alcoholic beverages. Consumers have long enjoyed a wide variety of alcoholic products, from wine to craft beer. But that appears to be changing as alcohol consumption falls. So what does this mean for the alcoholic beverage industry?
Alcohol consumption has been declining steadily since the mid-2000s, with data from the World Health Organisation showing that alcohol consumption per capita in Europe fell by 0.5 litres between 2010 and 2020.
What are the reasons for the decrease in alcohol consumption
The shift away from alcohol, though gradual, has been happening for some time now for a number of reasons. The first is the rise of health and wellness trends. The health and wellness trend emerged in the mid-2010s, but it really gripped consumers during the global pandemic.
"The pandemic has made people more health-conscious and willing to change their lifestyles to stay healthy," experts said.
Beverage brands are also starting to notice the change. Experts say: "The world as we know it has become increasingly health-conscious, especially since 2020. We're even more aware to take note of this when it comes to our physical and mental health. Usually, drinking is very easy to change."
It's not just brands that have noticed this shift among consumers, but the health industry has too. As the quest for health has led to a shift away from alcohol, consumers have embraced a host of non-alcoholic beverage options, with kombucha, smoothies, protein shakes, and cold-pressed juices particularly popular. But consumers not only want their drinks to be healthier, they are also looking for functional benefits, which has also led to the rise of the energy drink trend.
More importantly, forms of entertainment have changed dramatically. Before, many people went to the pub after work, now they might go to the gym because the gym culture is on the rise.
Another reason for consumers to reduce alcohol consumption is cost. The price of alcoholic beverages has been rising over the past decade, making it a luxury item for some.
Alcohol prices have risen by more than 95% since 2000, according to Eurostat, an arm of the European Commission. While price increases may be inevitable for beverage manufacturers as they face increasing production costs, they make it harder for consumers to access alcoholic beverages.
In addition, the biggest factor affecting the consumption of alcoholic beverages is the generation gap. The younger generation of consumers has a different perception of drinking culture than previous generations.
What does the decline in alcohol consumption mean for food manufacturers?
The decline in alcohol consumption is not necessarily a cause for concern for producers of alcoholic beverages. In fact, it could be a huge opportunity.
The growing non-alcoholic beverage trend offers immense opportunities for diversification. For those who love the taste of beer, but want to fight off a hangover in the morning, the alcohol-free beer industry is also growing, and alcohol-free options are better than ever. "Alcohol-free beer also mimics the taste of alcohol, making it an easy way to enjoy alcohol without drinking," experts said.
Many beverage makers have started making alcohol-free products, including some beer giants such as AB InBev. They can also choose healthier drinks, especially functional drinks, which are also a major new beverage trend.
Moreover, while alcohol consumption has declined, a large number of consumers are still drinking and will continue to do so happily.
Jinzhou Health Industry has recently launched a low-alcohol tiresome cocktail and supports customers to customize different flavors of cocktails
Reference source: https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2024/07/01/Alcohol-consumption-declining