Boost for European Drinks Can Sales
(8 August, 2000)

The latest European statistics from the Can Makers show that during 1999 the drinks can market increased by approximately 2.5%, representing some 34 billion sales of empty cans. This growth was led by an increase of over 5% in can sales in the alcoholic drinks market.

The UK and German markets, which together account for half of the beer and alcoholic drink consumption in cans in Europe, have both shown healthy increases of 7% and 3% respectively. Both these markets benefited from a good summer in northern Europe and some very competitive retail pricing.

There has also been impressive growth for the can in the Eastern European beer market. Poland, which represents over half of the market, continues to grow and in 1999 there was a 17% increase in sales, an extra 132 million cans.

The Can Makers Chairman, Graham Fenton commented: "The figures from Europe show some very encouraging growth for the can. It's good to see sales increases in countries which already have a large share of the market as well as the development of smaller markets in Eastern Europe."

The can continues to perform well in Spain in the take-home beer and carbonated soft drinks market with increases of 16% and 9% respectively. The can is the most favoured type of drinks packaging in Spain and also benefits from competitive retailing prices.

One of the biggest increases in the carbonated soft drinks market came in Austria where sales grew by 15%. Austria is home to the energy drink giant Red Bull and this increase is a sign of the continuing growth of this relatively new sector in Europe.