Alcoholic beer market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

The Australian alcoholic beer market volume grew from 1.9 billion liters in 2018 to a peak of 1.95 billion liters in 2020. This expansion was primarily driven by rising consumer demand for premium craft beers, supported by the proliferation of local microbreweries focusing on quality and innovation. Additionally, the major acquisition of Carlton & United Breweries by Japan's Asahi Group in 2018 injected significant capital and aimed to create distribution synergies, further stimulating market activity.

From 2021 onward, the market entered a sustained decline, falling to 1.57 billion liters by 2023. This downturn was triggered by semi-annual increases in beer excise taxes, which raised consumer prices, and was accelerated by a shift in preferences towards wine, ready-to-drink beverages, and the rapidly growing no- and low-alcohol segment. These factors combined to reduce traditional beer consumption among Australians.

Production alcoholic beer in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

From 2018 to 2021, Australia ranked 27th globally in alcoholic beer production volume.

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

Australia's alcoholic beer production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 1 683 million liters, marking a slight uptick of 1.5% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 610 million liters, which saw the largest decline of 1.0%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, M l

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output value of alcoholic beer in Australia was 1 908 million US dollars, representing an 11.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value declined by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 149 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports alcoholic beer from Australia

Exports in kind, M l

After a two-year decline, alcoholic beer exports from Australia increased in 2021. Exports reached 12.4 million liters, reflecting a steep gain of 63.3% compared to 2020. However, between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 44.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -17.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 7.6 million liters, which also experienced the largest decline of 64.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, M l

From 2018 to 2021, Bunkers and the United Kingdom formed the main group of markets for exports in volume terms, together accounting for 2.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year drop, cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer from Australia increased in 2021. Exports totaled 14.0 million US dollars, reflecting an intense gain of 42.8% versus the previous year. However, between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 51.2%, equating to an annualized rate of -21.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 9.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 63.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, the three largest markets—Bunkers, the United Kingdom, and China—remained central to exports in value terms, together accounting for 3.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports alcoholic beer to Australia

Imports in kind, M l

Imported alcoholic beer volumes in Australia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports were recorded at 259.0 million liters, reflecting a strong reduction of 13.0% versus the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 331.4 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, M l

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico (40.0% of imports in volume terms), Italy (9.6%), and Germany (9.5%) were the largest suppliers of alcoholic beer to Australia, together forming 59.0% of total imports in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Alcoholic beer shipments to Australia from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 258.6 million US dollars, representing an 8.8% decline year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 24.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -9.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 359.6 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 4.4%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest decline of 21.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over the 2018–2021 period, Mexico (43.6% of imports in value terms), Italy (7.9%), and the Netherlands (7.5%) stood out as the main markets for imports in value terms, together representing 59.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021