Bord Bia (the Irish food board) has revealed that the Irish craft beer segment is performing well across all fronts, from the number of production facilities to production output, market share and exports.

According to a report from the company, the number of craft breweries in Ireland has grown by more than 500 percent in the last 5 years, with 72 now in operation, up from just 15 in 2012. Employment in these facilities exceeded 500 for the first time ever, increasing employment in local and rural communities.

The output from these breweries has also grown significantly, from 37,000HL in 2012 to more than 176,000HL in 2016, representing growth of almost 475 percent. The volume of production destined for export is estimated at 22 percent or 39,000HL.

According to the report, both consumption market share, and production market share have each increased by more than 500 percent. In 2012, the craft beer category recorded consumption market share of just 0.6 percent, in 2017 that figure reached 3.0 percent while in terms of production, craft beer rose from 0.4 percent in 2012 to 2.3 percent in 2016.

Denise Murphy, Beverage Sector Manager at Bord Bia says: “While it is acknowledged that the Irish craft beer category is still very young and that these levels of growth are from a low base, the growth has been sustained over a number of years and looks set to maintain its upward trajectory. As the category expands the importance of export business increases for the sector. Demand for craft beer is rising in most markets around the world, driven by consumer preferences for a premium product and artisan production.”

To further explore the opportunities arising from the continued international interest in premium craft alcohol beverages, Bord Bia will once again host Marketplace International in April 2016. This meet-the-buyer event will provide an opportunity for Origin Green-verified suppliers to meet with a number of distributors and buyers from Ireland and around the world on April 12th,