World Cup boosts German container glass sales

Sales in the German container glass industry gained 3.5% in the first half of 2014.

The driver for the positive result was the domestic market, which has grew by 4.4% in the first six months of the year. Sales abroad increased by 1.3%.

The beverage segment recorded a growth of 5.7% in the first half of 2014. Domestic sales of beverage bottles went up 6.9%, while foreign sales were 2.1%.

When looking at the sub-segments, sales of beer increased particularly strongly: By 16%, due to the World Cup in Brazil. Water/soda grew by 15%.

The reason was the unusually warm weather in the spring and the general trend towards water.

The sparkling wines segment also increased, by 10.6%, as did the juice sector (2.2%).

The wine segment went down by 1.5%, while alcohol decreased by 4.1%.

Dr. Johann Overath, chief executive of the German Federation for the glass industry, BV Glas, said: "The demand for glass packaging is stable and shows us that glass packaging is still in demand in many areas.

"Certainly the World Cup and the above-average weather also contributed their part to the growth in some sub-segments such as beer and water/soda.

“I am therefore sure that the market for glass packaging in the second half will be stable.”