Alcoholic beer market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Asian beer market volume expanded slightly, supported by the growing craft beer culture and the introduction of new product segments. Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore began focusing on non-alcoholic beer, catering to diverse drinking occasions, while a relaxed licensing policy in Singapore fostered the emergence of over 30 local craft brands. Concurrently, a strong premiumization trend across the region, with brands like Heineken Silver and Asahi Super Dry performing well, drove a significant 19% surge in the market's value, outpacing volume growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a sharp 12% contraction in market volume as restaurant and bar closures restricted on-premise consumption. Recovery began in 2021, fueled by shifting consumer preferences toward low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beers. Brewers like Asia Pacific Breweries invested in technology and data analytics to meet the demand from younger consumers for diverse flavors and balanced ABV-to-price ratios, facilitating a steady market rebound.

Market growth continued from 2022 through 2024, primarily driven by the rapid expansion of the non-alcoholic beer segment across the Asia-Pacific region, a trend linked to rising health consciousness. A major structural shift occurred in Japan, where a 2023 liquor tax reform unified beer tax rates, effectively lowering beer prices and boosting domestic consumption from 2024 onward. Furthermore, regional expansion by major players like Thai Beverage into emerging markets such as Cambodia and Laos contributed to the overall market's positive trajectory, with value growth consistently strong.

Production alcoholic beer in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2019, Asia's alcoholic beer production saw a modest increase of 1.2%. However, in 2020, production fell sharply by 11.6% to 51 527 million liters. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production declined by 19.1%, with an average annual decrease of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports alcoholic beer from Asia

Exports in kind, M l

Asia's alcoholic beer exports reached their peak in 2018 at 1 269 million liters, marking a significant 53.6% increase from the previous year. In 2019, exports fell sharply by 28.5%, followed by another decline of 11.7% in 2020 to 800 million liters. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Between 2017 and 2020, Asia's alcoholic beer exports were not heavily concentrated. The top three destinations—Asia, not elsewhere specified (7.9% of exports), Australia (3.2%), and Russia (2.3%)—together accounted for only 13.4% of total export volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Asia's alcoholic beer export value peaked in 2018 at 1 071 million US dollars, with a 1.6% increase from the previous year. In 2019, export value fell by 15.5%, followed by another decline of 10.4% in 2020 to 811 million US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 23.1%, with an average annual decline of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for Asia's alcoholic beer exports in value terms. The top three destinations—Asia, not elsewhere specified (7.3% of export value), Australia (4.4%), and the United States (3.0%)—together represented only 14.7% of total export value, with many smaller partners holding modest individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports alcoholic beer to Asia

Imports in kind, M l

Asia's alcoholic beer imports declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports fell by 12.2% to 1 468 million liters. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.3%, with an average annual decline of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Between 2017 and 2020, Asia's alcoholic beer imports were not heavily concentrated by volume. The top three sources—Germany (14.8% of imports), the Netherlands (8.8%), and Mexico (8.5%)—together accounted for 32.1% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's alcoholic beer import value peaked in 2018 at 2 067 million US dollars, with a 9.8% increase from the previous year. In 2019 and 2020, import value declined for two consecutive years, falling by 15.9% in 2020 to 1 609 million US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 14.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Asia's alcoholic beer imports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The top three sources—Germany (13.0% of import value), Mexico (11.5%), and Belgium (9.9%)—together represented 34.4% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020