Krombach / Germany, January 18, 2023. In 2022, the Krombacher Group was able to achieve a positive result despite all the current challenges. The total output was 7.632 million hectolitres (hl), an increase of 4% compared to the previous year. The Krombacher umbrella brand developed very positively in 2022. An output of 5.756 million hl meant an increase of 3%. The success story of the brand portfolio around Schweppes has also been continued. This non-alcoholic beverage division reached the output mark of 1.591 million hl (+9.5%) and has thus been able to record continuous growth every year since the Krombacher Group took over the brand and distribution rights in Germany and Austria in 2006.
“2022 was a year of the greatest uncertainty. The brutal war of aggression in Ukraine, the energy crisis resulting from it, rapidly rising raw material, packaging and energy costs as well as the ongoing impact of the pandemic have created huge challenges for our entire society. We are very pleased that we have been able to navigate through these difficult times in the best possible way so far. Important factors for our very good result are our strong brands as well as the further expansion of our variety and the high commitment of our employees,” comments Uwe Riehs, Managing Director Marketing, on the 2022 business year.
Krombacher continuously expands market leadership in the beer segment
In 2022, the market leader Krombacher was able to profit significantly from the return of the festival and event business, the upswing in the gastronomy sector and a good summer. Shares have also been increased in the trade market, so that Krombacher has further consolidated and expanded its position as the most popular German beer brand. The development in the draught beer/gastronomy segment was particularly remarkable. Here the result was doubled compared to the previous year (590,000 hl). In exports, the conscious decision not to supply the Russian market resulted in a loss of around 60,000 hl compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, foreign business remained stable (254,000 hl).
Krombacher Pils continues to be the favourite beer of the people in Germany. Thanks to its presence at music festivals and the strong increase in new gastronomic facilities, many new users were able to enjoy the premium beer from the Siegerland region in 2022.
Thanks to the consistent expansion of its own variety, Krombacher succeeds in continuously inspiring new people and winning their loyalty. In addition to the continued strength of the non-alcoholic product portfolio around Krombacher Alkoholfrei and Krombacher o.0%, the "lemony" novelties have immediately established themselves in the market. The Krombacher NaturRadler has been an absolute success since its launch in spring 2022. And the innovative, alcohol-reduced and sugar-free Krombacher Radler zuckerfrei and Krombacher's Fassbrause Zitrone naturtrüb, a naturally cloudy lemon variant, have already gained many fans. Both novelties were recently awarded “Product of the Year” in the categories “Beer” and “Non-alcoholic Beverages” by the German trade magazine “Lebensmittel Praxis”.
The results in detail:
Turnover of the Krombacher Group
Outlook 2023: With strong brands and high product quality against the threat of recession
"The past year was a good one for the Krombacher Group. People were finally able to visit the gastronomy a little more carefree again or celebrate with a Krombacher at festive events. Of course, the long summer was also good for us," Uwe Riehs sums up. "But we are also well aware of the fears and worries that the war in Ukraine and the threat of recession have caused among people. Of course, we have also been clearly feeling the effects of the war for months, for example in the procurement of our raw materials, our packaging or also in the exploding energy costs."
For 2023, the Krombacher Group is therefore preparing for an even tougher market environment. "The challenges of an impending recession have an equal effect on all market participants. We are aware of our strengths, which we will again play to the full this year. Strong brands, a wide range of varieties, high product quality and many highly committed people in our company are the best prerequisites for getting through what will probably be a very challenging year in 2023," Riehs continues.