About the Beer Purchasers’ Index
By: Lester Jones, NBWA Vice President, Analytics and Chief Economist
The NBWA Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) is an informal monthly statistical release giving distributors a timely and reliable indicator of industry beer purchasing activity. BPI is the only forward-looking indicator for the industry to measure expected beer demand (one month forward) in the marketplace. Similar to the widely recognized Purchasing Managers’ Index, the BPI is a net-rising index and a leading indicator of industry performance based on survey responses from participating beer purchasers. The index surveys beer distributors’ purchases across different segments and compares them to that of previous years’ purchases. A reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting.
The Latest Data
This month’s results show a neutral outlook for distributor sentiment. The current BPI reading of 50 represents an eight-point increase from last month’s reading of 42 and is on par with the November 2023 reading of 51.
The combination of index readings for the at-risk inventory at 49 and beer purchasers’ index at 50 is a rare ‘bullseye” outcome that leaves the industry neither bullish nor bearish for the end of the year.
Notable segment results included the sixth reading in expansion territory (50 or higher) this year for Below Premium, the most in one calendar year. November also saw the second-lowest Craft reading (18) since the launch of BPI, only surpassed by the April 2020 reading of 14.
Looking across the segments for November:
- The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with a November 2024 reading of 64, five points lower than November 2023 reading of 69.
- The craft index at 18 for November 2024 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is eight points lower than the November 2023 reading at 26.
- The premium lights index fell to 46 for November 2024, seven points lower than November 2023 reading at 53.
- The premium regular index fell to 41 for November 2024, seven points lower than the November 2023 reading at 48.
- The below premium segment for November 2024 at 50 is eleven points higher than November 2023 reading of 39. The below premium segment is one of three segments to post a higher reading in November 2024 compared to 2023.
- The FMB/seltzer reading for November 2024 at 34 is nine points higher than the November 2023 reading at 25. The FMB segment is one of three segments to post a higher reading in November 2024 compared to 2023
- Finally, the cider segment posted a November 2024 reading at 36 compared to 30 for November 2023. The Cider segment is also one of three segments to post a higher reading in November 2024 compared to 2023.
Beer Distributors
Please sign up to participate and receive the first and only advance notice of expectations for increasing or decreasing sales. Complete the form below using your company’s primary beer purchaser’s contact information. For additional information, please email bpi@nbwa.org.
Beer Distributor Expectations Sign Up
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