Press Release

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

Overall ordering levels in February recorded a BPI reading of 48, up from the January reading of 43. This remains in contraction territory and, coupled with the at-risk inventory measure at 48, indicates another month of cautious ordering as the beer industry begins an important year. 

Notable segment results include the 12th straight month that imports have recorded a reading of 60 or higher. On the other end of the spectrum, craft and FMB/seltzer continue to see soft ordering; the segments have recorded sub-30 readings in 6 and 7 months respectively since the start of 2023.

Looking across the segments for February:

• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with a February 2024 reading of 68, six points higher than the February 2023 reading of 62.
• The craft index of 22 for February 2024 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is significantly lower than the February 2023 reading of 34.
• The premium light index moved into expansionary territory at 52 for February 2024, higher than the February 2023 reading of 46.
• The premium regular index rose to 48 for February 2024, seven points above the February 2023 reading of 41.
• The below premium segment for February 2024 fell to 41 from 53 in February 2023.
• The FMB/seltzer reading for February 2024 of 28 is significantly lower than the February 2023 reading of 40.
• Finally, the cider segment posted a February 2024 reading of 30 compared to the same reading of 30 for February 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.