The gradual reopening of pubs and restaurants around Australia can’t come too soon for makers of beer, wine and spirits, with the impact of coronavirus having a truly devastating effect on the alcohol industry.
A report by Alcohol Beverages Australia out this week confirmed that April was the worst month on record for beer, wine and spirit sales in Australia. The same month saw an $8.5 billion loss in the hospitality industry, and almost half a million jobs lost.
The Impact Of COVID-19 On The Drinks Industry report found that beer and cider had the biggest drops in consumption, down 44% and 61% in sales country-wide respectively, despite some decent sales early in lockdown as people prepared for a longer period of isolation,
“Despite some initial pantry filling in March, April has been the worst month on record for sales of beer, wine and spirits, consistent with ABS data showing consumption has fallen during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Alcohol Beverages Australia Chief Executive Officer, Mr Andrew Wilsmore.
“Pubs, clubs and bars are shut and there is no sport on TV, no live music or group gatherings allowed,” he continued.
“We knew that the total loss of trade from pubs, bars, clubs, and restaurants was never going to be made up for by a brief, small surge in panic buying during the week people were concerned bottleshops would also close.
The report also looked int how drinking habits have changed during the pandemic, and found that 30% of Aussies are largely obtaining from or not drinking alcohol. Meanwhile, 47% are drinking the same and 10% are drinking less, while 14% are drinking more.
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“For Australians who reported their consumption of alcohol at home had increased, the vast majority continued to drink at moderate levels,” said Wilsmore.
That all might change from next month, with NSW pubs and cafes to be able to seat 50 patrons from June 1. Victorian cafes, restaurants and pubs will be able to seat 20 customers at a time from June as well.
Meanwhile, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory have all eased restrictions at a greater rate, due to their low case numbers of COVID-19 over the past month.
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