The beer market - France

pale ales, brewed from pale barley malts,

amber or red beers, richer in roasted malts,

brown beers, made from very dark malts, with an intense aroma.

The French hop industry remains modest but growing, with an estimated 60 to 110 producers, and a growing interest among craft breweries in local hops. In September 2023, there were over 2,400 brewers in France, compared with barely 30 in the 1990s. Today, the French beer market is both concentrated and fragmented. three industrial giants - Heineken (29.4% of sales by volume), Carlsberg (24%) and AB InBev (16.4%) - will alone account for almost 70% of national sales in 2024. national brands dominate distribution, accounting for 91.6% of sales by value, compared with just 8.4% for private labels. Craft breweries are playing an increasingly important role in this landscape, accounting for 35% of market value, compared with 65% for manufacturers, confirming the emergence of a higher-quality, better-priced craft segment. The range itself is highly segmented, with a strong predominance of specialty beers (58.4%) and special lagers (30.2%), illustrating the gradual move upmarket in France. While beer remains the preferred drink of 58% of French people, just behind wine (60%), it has held up better against the general decline in alcohol consumption: between 1960 and today, alcohol consumption has fallen from 200 to 80 liters per person per year, but beer consumption has only dropped from 39 to 33 liters, proving its resilience. However, the sector remains exposed to several major constraints: inflation and rising production costs (raw materials, energy) have led to a 12.1% increase in the average price per liter between 2023 and 2025 (€2.64 → €2.96). added to this is a structural dependence on imports, with a coverage rate of just 30.28%: over 58% of imported beers come from Belgium, limiting the autonomy of French supply. Finally, the market is evolving: canned beers are making a comeback (+5% in 2024), the alcohol-free segment is exploding (+5.4% in value), and marketing differentiation is becoming central. Kronenbourg (51.7% of the alcohol-free segment) is multiplying its innovations, while independent breweries are investing in new segments. the French beer market, though mature, remains dynamic, torn between industrial consolidation, a move upmarket for craft beers and new consumer expectations.