With 30 liters consumed each year, beer has a place of choice in the consumption habits of the French.
But the bill should be higher in the coming months.
Like gasoline, electricity, gas or even pasta, alcoholic beverages are not immune to inflation.
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This rise in prices is explained primarily by the bad year experienced by the production of cereals necessary for the manufacture of beer, in particular malt.
In question, recurring episodes of rain and frost which "
led to a price increase of 30%"
, notes Jean-François Drouin, president of the national union of independent brewers (SNBI).
Read alsoPasta, spirits, compotes: why the price of certain products is increasing
The poor harvests of 2021 are not the only problem facing the 2,300 breweries in France. Like the rest of France, they are subject to rising energy prices. However, the production of beer is very greedy in electricity and gas.
“Some steaming as well as cooling and bottling machines consume a lot of electricity,”
says Laurent Boiteau, director of the Mélusine brewery, located in Vendée. According to the Brasseurs de France union
"the average increases for brewers are 7 to 15% on energy"
.
A figure that climbs from + 10 to + 24% for packaging materials.
Whether they are made from glass, metal or cardboard, the findings are the same: supplier prices are soaring.
Even stainless steel, the material in which the tanks used by brewers are made, is concerned.
"The tanks which are worth around 30,000 euros in normal times can currently cost up to 45,000 euros, which risks slowing down investment"
, worries Jean-François Drouin, who specifies that he has never experienced such a phenomenon in twenty years. business.
Even the price of cleaning products tends to soar.
Negotiations
"For now, brewers have taken on their margins
", but "
we will be forced to increase our prices to compensate for our losses,"
warns the president of the national union of independent brewers.
Above all, the profession does not want to be held solely responsible for the increase in in-store prices.
"Wholesalers and distributors must also take their margins to contain the selling price to consumers as much as possible"
, asks the president of the SNBI.
Otherwise, it could jump 5 to 10%, he predicts.
Read alsoThe balance of power between manufacturers and distributors rebalanced
This question should play an important role in the annual negotiations between large-scale distribution and suppliers for the 2022 tariffs, which have already started in October.
"It is essential that (these) negotiations take this reality into account
", agrees Brasseurs de France in its press release of October 5. The union, however, refused to comment on the subject. But rather than a standoff, Jean-François Drouin expects an understanding attitude from distributors.
"I'm not too worried about their ability to understand this issue,"
he wants to believe, assuring nonetheless that he will not hesitate to turn to Bercy if the discussions are deadlocked. For its part, Carrefour responds
“Not be aware of upcoming price increases from its beer suppliers”
or poor harvests for hops and malt.
"It is the responsibility of all those involved in the chain to do their best so that the consumer does not suffer from price increases."
, we add without specifying whether negotiations can be conducted with the brewers.
Contacted by
Le Figaro
, Leclerc has not yet responded.
Read alsoWhy distributors are preparing to increase shelf prices
Protect clients
Other customers of beer producers, the cafes, bars, restaurants and events sector who will also have to put their hand in the wallet if they want to continue to supply themselves.
“It depends on the producers, but generally 50% of their turnover is generated by this sector,”
says Jean-François Drouin.
“We are going to have to re-evaluate our selling prices to remain in balance, but in a reasonable way because it is a sector which has already suffered greatly from the health crisis. The goal is not to put their heads under water, ”
reassures Laurent Boiteau.
"We are already coming out of a very complicated period and here we are again under the influence of a new crisis of another form"
, regrets Jean-François Drouin who hopes that the profession will soon be able to turn the page of these difficult months.
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