Press Release

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for May 2024.

Following the highest Beer Purchasers’ Index reading since 2021, the May index continues to show a steady build-up of distributor inventory as the industry prepares for summer.

The BPI remained deep in expansion territory at 63, an 11-point increase from May 2023 and identical to last month’s reading. The combined readings of expansionary BPI and contracting at-risk inventory — which remained below the benchmark (50) at 47, down from 61 in May 2023 — indicate a positive outlook for the warm weather selling season.

Five segments recorded positive year-over-year growth, led by 16- and 10-point jumps for FMB/Seltzer and Premium Regular, respectively. However, the Craft segment continues to struggle, seeing its 27th straight month of contraction.

Looking across the segments for May:

• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with an May 2024 reading of 72, three points lower than the May 2023 reading of 75.
• The craft index at 32 for May 2024 continues to signal contraction in this segment; the current reading is seven points lower than the May 2023 reading at 39.
• The premium lights index remains in expansionary territory at 54 for May 2024, five points higher than the May 2023 reading of 49.
• The premium regular index remains in expansionary territory at 53 for May 2024, a 10-point increase from the May 2023 reading of 43.
• The below premium segment for May 2024 reading of 50 is exactly the same as May 2023.
• The FMB/seltzer reading for May 2024 of 42 is significantly higher than the May 2023 reading at 26.
• Finally, the cider segment posted an May 2024 reading of 31 compared to 29 for May 2023.

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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.