European Beer Production Hits Record 34.7 Billion Litres in 2024

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 5, 2025

Overview

In 2024, the European Union surpassed a significant milestone by producing 34.7 billion litres of beer. The cumulative total includes 32.7 billion litres of beers containing more than 0.5 per cent alcohol and an additional 2 billion litres of beers that are either low or non-alcoholic. This achievement underscores the dynamic nature and resilience of the EU’s brewing industry.

Evolving Production Trends

The production volume for traditional alcoholic beers increased marginally by 0.6 per cent, amounting to an extra 0.2 billion litres compared with 2023. Contrasting this modest growth, production of low- and non-alcoholic beers surged by a robust 11.1 per cent across the bloc, also representing an increase of 0.2 billion litres. This shift reflects the evolving consumer preferences and market responsiveness within the beverage sector.

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Leaders in Production

Germany continued to dominate the production landscape by brewing 7.2 billion litres of beer, exceeding 0.5 per cent alcohol, accounting for 22.2 per cent of the total EU output. Spain followed in second place with 4.0 billion litres (12.3 percent), while Poland contributed 3.4 billion litres (10.6 percent). The Netherlands and Belgium secured the fourth and fifth positions, with 2.2 billion litres (6.8 percent) and 2.1 billion litres (6.3 percent), respectively.

Trade Insights and Export Dynamics

Trade data from Eurostat reveals notable export activities within the region. Cyprus, for instance, exported nearly 7 million litres of beer in total, of which approximately 1.31 million litres were shipped to non-EU markets, while 5.67 million litres were destined for other EU member states. The Netherlands emerged as the leading exporter of alcoholic beer, with total exports reaching 1.5 billion litres. However, this figure represents a 12 per cent decline compared with 2023. Germany and Belgium each exported 1.4 billion litres, followed by Czechia at 0.6 billion litres and Ireland at 0.5 billion litres.

Import Dynamics

On the import side, France maintained its position as the largest importer of alcoholic beer in the EU with 0.8 billion litres in 2024, while Italy imported over 0.7 billion litres. Both Spain and Germany imported close to 0.6 billion litres each. Additionally, the Netherlands, despite being the top exporter, also recorded imports nearing 0.5 billion litres, revealing a balanced trade dynamic.

The data not only underscores the robust nature of the EU’s beer industry but also highlights the shifting patterns in both production and trade, driven by consumer preferences and international market strategies. As the industry evolves, these trends will be crucial for stakeholders evaluating future investments and policy directions in the European beverage sector.

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Europe’s Deadly Summer Heat Exposed The Cost Of A Warming Continent

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 23, 2026

Europe experienced its deadliest summer for heat-related deaths on record in 2026, with an estimated 24,400 excess deaths linked to extreme temperatures across 30 countries. Researchers estimate that human-induced climate change was responsible for around 32,000 of the deaths attributed to heat in the study’s broader analysis, accounting for 65% of the total.

The findings highlight the growing public-health consequences of global warming, largely driven by fossil fuel use, as extreme heat becomes more frequent and severe.

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A Summer Of Dangerous Heat

Between June and August, heatwaves pushed temperatures in Western Europe to an average of 2.9°C above the 1991–2020 norm, with some days reaching 12°C above average. Nearly a third of estimated heat-related deaths occurred during a particularly intense heatwave between 17 June and 1 July.

“These numbers are a stark reminder that our hotter, more extreme summers are having an increasingly severe impact on public health,” said Dr Clair Barnes, a researcher at Imperial College London and co-author of the study.

The estimated toll exceeded previous peaks of around 29,000 deaths in summer 2022 and 28,000 in 2003 across the region studied.

How Researchers Estimated The Toll

Researchers modelled the relationship between temperature and mortality across 854 urban areas in the EU, UK, Norway and Switzerland, covering around 40% of the population in the 30 countries studied.

The analysis incorporated temperature records, age, socioeconomic conditions, environmental factors and access to healthcare. By comparing actual temperatures with those expected without human-induced warming, the team estimated the additional deaths attributable to climate change.

Final official mortality figures for summer 2026 are not yet available in many countries, and heat-related deaths are often underreported because their effects can be difficult to identify directly.

Older People Face The Greatest Risk

People aged 85 and over accounted for roughly half of the estimated deaths. However, the impact extended across age groups, with around 800 excess deaths among adults aged 20–44 and approximately 6,000 among people under 65.

Southern Europe experienced the highest mortality burden, reflecting hotter temperatures and other vulnerabilities, including air pollution, limited green space and unequal access to healthcare and heat-alert systems.

Italy, France And Spain Record Highest Toll

Italy recorded an estimated 13,303 heat-related excess deaths, followed by France with 7,268 and Spain with 6,824. Germany recorded around 6,340, while the UK saw an estimated 4,354 deaths.

In the UK, the heat also placed significant pressure on healthcare services. Andrew Hartle, Professor of Practice of Anaesthesia at Imperial College Healthcare, said demand during the summer resembled that of a severe winter virus season.

Cities Urged To Strengthen Heat Protection

Researchers say cities can reduce the risks through climate shelters, external shading and building retrofits, alongside measures to help residents avoid exposure during the hottest hours. Checking on vulnerable people, staying hydrated and following heat alerts are also important.

The researchers stress that adaptation must go hand in hand with reducing fossil fuel use to limit further warming. The findings underline that extreme heat is already a major public-health threat across Europe, with thousands of lives at risk each summer.

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