After an encouraging start to the year, beer distributors reported a decline in their purchasing outlook during February. The National Beer Wholesalers Association reported that the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) fell to 35, a 14-point decline from February of last year. A reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting.
Two segments recorded higher readings relative to February 2024: FMB/Seltzer (+8) and Below Premium (+2), which recorded its second-highest February reading to date. The Imports segment marked its 57th straight month in expansionary (>50) territory.
The craft index of 17 for February 2025 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is five-points lower than the February 2024 reading of 22.
The cider segment also with a reading recorded a February 2025 of 25 compared to 30 for February 2024.
The NBWA BPI is an informal monthly statistical release giving distributors an indication of industry beer purchasing activity. The index surveys beer distributors’ purchases across different segments and compares them to that of previous years’ purchases.
See the NBWA press release here for the BPI for all categories.