Berlin: German beer sales in the first round this year are 2.7% lower than a year earlier, dragged by lower by closing bars and restaurants that stretch through winter and to spring, official data shows on Friday.
German-based beers and distributors sell around 4.2 billion liters (1.1 billion gallons) beers from January to June, the Federal Statistics Office said.
That number is not included alcohol or beer free beer imported from outside the European Union.
Domestic sales fell 4.9% compared to the first half of 2020 to 3.3 billion liters (872 million gallons).
There were steep drops of 27% and 19.1% respectively in January and February _ compared to the last months before Coronavirus Pandemi hit Germany _ but got after that.
Sales rose 12.4% in March and 11.2% in June.
Instead, the first half export is higher.
There was an increase in exports of 3.5% to other UE countries and a leap of 11.9% in sales to countries outside the EU.
Regional authorities in Germany began to loosen restaurant restrictions and bars in the spring.
The new Covid-19 infection sank to a very low level in early July; They have crept higher because but remain much lower than in some other European countries.
German beer sales have declined for years as a result of health problems and other factors, but the pandemic causes a tremendous sharp decline.
The statistical office said that sales in Germany fell 5.5% last year.