62 years of beer production: United States' 41-year rule and China’s overtake

  • The US led global barley beer output for 41 straight years (1961–2001).
  • China has topped production every year since 2002—21 years and counting.
  • The US produced 1.28 billion tonnes in 62 years—about 3.88 trillion bottles of 33cl beer.
  • Nigeria rose from 53rd place in 1961 to 13th in 2014, before sliding to 22nd by 2022.
  • Global beer leadership now reflects shifts in demand from Western to Asian markets.
  • Beer output trends mirror broader changes in economic power and population growth.

The US has produced over 1.28 billion tonnes of malted barley beer in the 62 years since 1961. That’s the equivalent of about 3.88 trillion bottles of 33cl beer—over 11,000 bottles for every American alive today. For 41 of those years, the US led the world in beer output without missing a single year. But in 2002, China surged ahead and has stayed number one for 21 years straight.

Meanwhile, South Africa quietly built a consistent presence. It made the global top 15 a total of 43 times—more than any other African country—and peaked at 3.38 million tonnes in 2022. Nigeria’s rise was also notable, climbing from 53rd place in 1961 to 13th in 2014, before settling around 22nd by 2022. These are the top producing countries of malted barley beer in 62 years, from 1961 to 2022.

Source:

Food and Agriculture organization of the UN

Period:

1961-2022
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