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Can manufacturers are facing capacity constraints amidst positive signs in the food, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic beverage markets.
While the beer market has been sluggish in recent years, Anheuser-Busch, the world’s largest brewer, reported its first sales volume increase in three years during a first-quarter earnings report on Tuesday. Similarly, non-alcoholic beverage giant Coca-Cola highlighted the popularity of mini cans in convenience settings and the impact of price pack architecture during its April 28 earnings call, where it also shared positive results.
During recent Q1 recaps, major suppliers of beverage and food cans discussed demand trends, tariff impacts, increased energy and material costs due to the conflict with Iran, upcoming customer promotions, and more.
Ball
Net sales: $3.6B
Up 16.3% year over year
Net earnings: $205M
Compared with $179M in Q1 2025
Ball anticipates significant opportunities with beverage customers in the upcoming summer.
CEO Ron Lewis mentioned on the company’s May 5 earnings call that there is a strong demand for World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary celebration labels on their products across different plants worldwide.
Ball is looking forward to commissioning a new plant in Millersburg, Oregon, later this year, with an expected $35 million in startup costs. There are also hints of a potential new plant on the East Coast, likely in North Carolina.
Ball executives mentioned passing on elevated commodity costs to customers and expect volume growth at the low end of their long-term range for the remainder of 2026.
Crown Holdings
Net sales: $3.26B
Up 12.9% year over year
Net income: $206M
Compared with $227M in Q1 2025
Crown reported a 5% increase in global beverage shipments during Q1, with March being their highest shipments month ever.
CEO Tim Donahue mentioned on the April 28 earnings call that the aluminum beverage can market in North America is steadily growing across multiple categories.
Crown expects strengthening demand amidst a tight can supply situation this summer and maintains their full-year growth estimate at 2% to 3%.
Ardagh Metal Packaging
Revenue: $1.5B
Up 18.6% year over year
Loss: $5M
Same as the comparable period last year
AMP saw a decline in beverage can sales, in line with expectations. Carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks were sources of growth, along with specialty can volumes.
CEO Oliver Graham mentioned on the April 23 earnings call that they expect industry growth of a low single-digit percent in 2026.
AMP clarified that they have no manufacturing operations in the Middle East and will monitor geopolitical environments and input costs closely.