Cider orders spike, rest of segments flat in September Purchasing Index

The data in the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for September 2023 did not change significantly from August, except for a breakout performance in cider.

The BPI, a monthly index published by National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), is the only forward-looking indicator for distributors to measure expected beer demand. The index surveys beer distributors’ purchases across different segments and compares them to previous years. A reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting.

In September, BPI stayed in place below the (50) benchmark at 45 while the At-Risk Inventory (ARI) measure ticked up one point to 53. September ordering trends across segments were static except for the aforementioned 11-point jump for cider. All other segments were within 5 points of their 2022 comps.

• The cider segment posted a September reading at 35 compared to 24 in September 2022.
• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with September 2023 reading at 62.
• The craft index at 27 for September 2023 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is nearly unchanged from September 2022 reading at 26.
• The premium light index fell into the contraction zone with an index reading at 47 for September 2023, also unchanged from September 2022 reading at 47.
• The premium regular segment index for September 2023 at 40 is slightly higher than September 2022 reading at 36.
• The below premium segment for September 2023 at 42 is slightly lower than September 2022 reading at 47.
• The FMB/seltzer reading at 28 for September 2023 is only slightly higher than the September 2022 reading at 24.