Charlie Smith
THE Spanish beer industry is at serious risk from the no-deal Brexit threatened by Boris Johnson, producers have warned.
The departure of the UK – Spain’s third largest beer market – from the EU is causing major headaches for brewers.
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Spain’s beer producer association Cerveceros de Espana has said a no-deal Brexit, coupled with an economic slowdown, will have a ‘big impact’ on beer sales.
“The UK is a country with a big beer culture which doubles or triples our consumption and also helps us to export,” Jacobo Olalla, managing director of the group said.
The UK imported 467,132 hectoliters of beer from Spain in 2018 out of the total 2.97 million exported from the country.
In addition British tourists make up the largest group of foreign visitors to Spain and the beer they drink abroad is also an important factor.
Olalla added: “Brexit could have consequences for the pound [which hit its lowest exchange rate since 2017 at the end of July] and for tourism.
“A hard Brexit, which will probably limit freedom of movement, could send them [Brits] home. “Brexit is not good news for anyone.”
Spain is the EU’s fourth biggest beer producer and last year sold 40 million hectoliters, over half of it in bars and restaurants.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised a ‘do or die’ Brexit if no deal can be agreed with the EU before the October 31 deadline.
Brussels does not care if Spain suffers, the important thing is to show the rest of the EU you can’t leave on fair terms.