Press Release
NBWA Releases April Beer Purchasers’ Index
Media contact: Erin Donar | EDonar@nbwa.org | 703-229-3702
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for April 2022.
For the fourth month in a row in 2022, the beer industry continues to revert to pre-pandemic trends. The April 2022 BPI has a “total beer” reading of 55 and an “at-risk” inventory reading of 47. This combination of readings is an improvement over the first three months (Q1) with “at-risk” inventories falling below 50 as the industry heads into the second quarter. The dramatic drop in the FMB/seltzer category continues, falling to 40 in April 2022 from 90 in April 2021. Imports and premium lights both reported expansionary readings for the month.
About NBWA’s Beer Purchasers’ Index: BPI is the only forward-looking indicator for distributors to measure expected beer demand. The index surveys beer distributors’ purchases across different segments and compares them to previous years. A reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting.
Looking across the segments for April:
- The index for imports continues to remain in expansion territory with a reading of 70 in April 2022, only slightly below the April 2021 reading of 74.
- The craft index at 48 is significantly below last April’s reading of 64.
- The premium lights index posted a higher reading of 52, below the April 2021 reading of 69, but indicating expansionary volumes.
- The premium regular segment index is at 38, which is significantly below the April 2021 reading of 56.
- The below premium segment is at 37, well below the April 2021 reading of 51.
- The FMB/seltzer category took another big hit, falling to 40 in April 2022 from the April 2021 reading of 90.
- Finally, the cider segment remains below 50 with a reading of 33 in April 2022, compared to the April 2021 reading of 44.
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents America’s 3,000 independent beer distributors who service every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Licensed at the federal and state levels, beer distributors get bottles, cans, cases and kegs from a brewer or importer to stores, restaurants and other licensed retail accounts through a transparent and accountable regulatory system. Distributors build brands of all sizes – from familiar domestic beers to new startup labels and imports from around the world – and generate enormous consumer choice while supporting more than 140,000 quality jobs in their home communities. Beer distributors work locally to keep communities safe by sponsoring programs to promote responsible consumption, combat drunk driving and reduce underage drinking.