Italian beer production recorded its highest volume to date in 2017 (15.6 million hectolitres), an increase of 7.5% on the previous year. Exports also achieved a new record, up 7.9% year-on-year, to 2.7 million hl. The figures come from the latest Annual Report by AssoBirra, an association that brings together two major malt producers and about 40 large, medium and small breweries, which together represent more than 90% of national production.

The positive results resulted in a 3.4% annual growth in Italian malt production (to 75,800 tonnes) and increased employment, with the number of personnel employed in the trade rising to 140,000, which is 3,000 more than in 2016. Per-head consumption in Italy for the first time reached 31.8 litres, up by 0.4 litres on 2016, while national consumption was up 1.6% to over 19 million hl.