About the Beer Purchasers’ Index
By: Lester Jones, NBWA Vice President, Analytics and Chief Economist
The NBWA Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) is an informal monthly statistical release giving distributors a timely and reliable indicator of industry beer purchasing activity. BPI is the only forward-looking indicator for the industry to measure expected beer demand (one month forward) in the marketplace. Similar to the widely recognized Purchasing Managers’ Index, the BPI is a net-rising index and a leading indicator of industry performance based on survey responses from participating beer purchasers. The index surveys beer distributors’ purchases across different segments and compares them to that of previous years’ purchases. A reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting.
The Latest Data
America’s beer distributors reported increased ordering levels entering the warm weather season. The April beer purchasers’ index shot up to 62, continuing its rise into expansionary territory after last month’s reading of 53.
This marks the highest BPI reading — and first at 60 or higher — since December 2021.
All seven measured segments recorded YoY growth, led by 27- and 20-point jumps for Premium Regular and Premium Lights, respectively. This is the first time since March 2021 that readings for the BPI and all segments increased in the same month.
Strong segment growth (including four expansionary readings) and contracting amounts of at-risk inventory (46, down from 47 in March) reflect an optimistic ordering environment as the industry heads into summer.
Looking across the segments for April:
- The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with an April 2024 reading of 73, seven points higher than April 2023 reading of 66.
- The craft index at 36 for April 2024 continues to signal contraction in this segment; however, the current reading is three points higher than the April 2023 reading of 33.
- The premium lights index remains in expansionary territory at 63 for April 2024, 20 points higher than the April 2023 reading at 43.
- The premium regular index moved into expansionary territory for April 2024, with a substantial 27-point gain above the April 2023 reading of 32.
- The below premium segment for April 2024 rose to 53 from 49 in April 2023.
- The FMB/seltzer reading for April 2024 at 40 is significantly higher than the April 2023 reading of 24.
- Finally, the cider segment posted an April 2024 reading of 39 compared to 36 for April 2023.
Beer Distributors
Please sign up to participate and receive the first and only advance notice of expectations for increasing or decreasing sales. Complete the form below using your company’s primary beer purchaser’s contact information. For additional information, please email bpi@nbwa.org.
Beer Distributor Expectations Sign Up
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