Press Release
March BPI Sees Continued Shift in Distributor Sentiment
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for March 2025.
February’s decline in beer purchasing outlook continued into March, as overall BPI fell to 33 and the At-Risk Inventory measure remained above the benchmark at 50. The combination of index readings places the industry in contractionary territory for a second month of 2025.
Looking across the segments for March:
- The index for imports falls into contractionary territory for the first time since April 2020, with a March 2025 reading that is 21-points lower than the March 2024 reading of 67.
- The craft index of 20 for March 2025 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is 15-points lower than the March 2024 reading of 35.
- The premium lights index fell to 40 for March 2025, 14-points lower than the March 2024 reading of 54.
- The premium regular index fell to 35 for March 2025, 14-points lower than the March 2024 reading of 49.
- The below premium segment for March 2025 at 45 is one-point lower than the March 2024 reading of 46.
- The FMB/seltzer reading for March 2025 of 40 is seven-points higher than the March 2024 reading of 33. The FMB segment is the only segment to post a higher reading in March 2025 compared to March 2024.
- Finally, the cider segment posted a March 2025 reading of 32 compared to 34 for March 2024.
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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 135,000 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.