If you are one of those who goes to the party and says “I put for the chelas”, think twice, because your pocket may suffer because it is one of the products that is a victim of inflation and that its price has skyrocketed this 2022.
Inegi data show that the price of beer increased 11.2% during September of this year compared to the same month of 2021, which meant the greatest variation in more than 12 years (151 months).
Beer, like many other goods in this category, has suffered the effects of high prices, especially the inputs used for its production, such as malt, water, hops, yeast and sugar.
In addition, since it is one of the most popular beverages among Mexican palates, the increase in its price is above other products such as wine, rum and tequila.
Only brandy had an increase that surpassed chela, reporting an annual variation of 11.6% in September, the highest in almost 22 years.
In June of this year, Expansión published that another factor behind which little stores and even some Oxxo registered.
Among the problems explained at the time was the shortage of glass, an important input for part of beer production.
How much is a beer in Mexico 2022?
According to the Inegi, some of the most expensive beer presentations during September were found in Cuernavaca, Morelos; Colima, Colima; Guadalajara Jalisco; Veracruz, Veracruz, and Cancun, Quintana Roo.
For example, the Insurgent artisanal chela, in a 355-milliliter bottle, was offered at 232.78 pesos in Cuernavaca, Morelos.
The second most expensive beer for the consumer’s pocket was in Colima, Colima, where they had to pay 126.76 pesos for a clear craft Colimita, in a 355-milliliter non-returnable bottle.
A dark minerva of the same size as the previous ones meant spending 125.92 pesos in Guadalajara, Jalisco, while a handmade bronze Bark cost 112.68 pesos.
And although life is tastier at sea, in Cancun you have to carry your bag or wallet loaded with money, because a 355-milliliter Rey craft beer cost 109.86 pesos.
Where is it cheaper?
Incredible as it may seem, Mexico is not one of the countries with the highest consumption per capita, despite being one of those that produce the most (seventh place) and the largest exporter.
However, if the price of beer in Tepic, Nayarit or in Toluca, State of Mexico were the national average, consumption would surely skyrocket because of what is accessible.
Inegi data show that the cheapest 355-milliliter bottle was found in that locality. It is a Corona Clara Light for only 17 pesos.
But in Toluca, State of Mexico, they are not far behind, because in that place a dark Victoria could be found in the same price, 17 pesos.
The countries with the highest beer consumption in the world are the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Romania, Germany, Estonia, Namibia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Ireland. Mexico occupies position 24, according to Kirin Brewery Company, a firm specialized in the beer industry.
Information from the Mexican government shows that Mexico is number 15 as an importer of beer and that per capita consumption is 60 liters per year.
In addition to the important weight that the product has in Mexican industry, it also supports other sectors of the economy, such as the primary sector (agriculture), in the production of barley, rice and corn.