On January 1, 2025, there were 740 active breweries in the Netherlands, 40 fewer than at the beginning of 2024, marking—for the first time since 2010—a decline in the total number of breweries, according to the country’s Statistical Office.
From 2010 to 2024, the number of breweries recorded steady year-on-year growth. In 2010, 75 breweries were operating in the Netherlands, almost ten times fewer than the number recorded in 2024. This increase is largely attributed to the growth of small sole proprietorships (microbreweries). From 2010 to 2025, 385 breweries with one employee were added, 160 with two employees, 75 with three to five employees, and 45 larger enterprises. The decline recorded between 2024 and 2025 is mainly due to a reduction in sole proprietorships and businesses with two employees. At the beginning of 2025, there were 20 fewer businesses with one employee, 15 fewer with two employees, 5 more businesses with three to five employees, and 10 fewer with five or more employees, compared to 2024.
As regards geographical distribution, the province of Noord-Brabant had the highest number of breweries (160), followed by the provinces of Noord-Holland (145), Zuid-Holland (110), and Gelderland (95). These four provinces accounted for 64% of the total number of breweries in the country. Noord-Brabant also recorded the largest increase in the number of breweries since 2010, with an additional 135 companies, while significant increases were also recorded in Noord-Holland (130), Zuid-Holland (100), and Gelderland (85). In all provinces, an increase in the number of breweries was observed in 2024 compared to 2010.
During the period 2016–2022, the number of breweries increased by 179%, while employment in the sector rose by 40%, from 4,700 employees in 2016 to 6,600 in 2022. Over the same period, operating revenues increased by 8%, while operating expenses rose by 26%. As a result of these changes, total operating results of breweries in 2022 were reduced by 64% compared to 2016.
The information is sourced from the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs in The Hague.