1.9bn hectolitres of beer were brewed worldwide in 2015, as reported by the Barth Report Hops 2015016. Presenting the report, Regine Barth, managing partner of Joh. Barth & Sohn, pointed out that the slight decline in output in 2015 was preceded by a decline in 2014 too. Contributory factors were in particular increasing unrest, the exertion of political influence, e.g. through restrictive legislation, and difficult economic conditions. China remais the leading nation in the table with an output of 472m/hectolitres, followed by the USA (224m), Brazil (139m), Germany (96m), and Russia (78m). The rankings of the world's biggest brewers continue to be led by AB InBev, with 410m/hectolitres (not taking into account the merger with SABMiller, in 2nd place). Third place is taken by Heineken, followed by Carlsberg and China Res. Snow Breweries. These five brewers have a combined world market share of more than 50%.
