China's beer production rose 15.2% between 2003 and 2004 to 29.1 million metric tons, maintaining its status as the world's top beer producer, state media reported. While China has 400 breweries, ten of them produced more than half of the total volume last year, according to an industry association. Average per person consumption of beer in 2004 was about 18 liters (5 gallons), trailing developed countries where per capita consumption is about 200 liters (53 gallons) a year.