Alcoholic beer market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the alcoholic beer market in Australia and New Zealand grew from 2 210 million liters to 2 240 million liters. This expansion was driven by the entry of new players and the launch of low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beer variants, which broadened consumer choice. Marketing campaigns linked to the 2018 FIFA World Cup provided an additional boost to sales. The premiumization trend, with consumers increasingly opting for craft and high-quality beers, further supported market growth even during the pandemic volatility in 2020.

After peaking in 2020, the market began to contract, falling to 1 864 million liters by 2023. The decline was primarily triggered by global supply chain disruptions and trade tariffs, which increased costs and affected trade flows from 2022 onward. During this period, consumer preferences continued to shift toward non-alcoholic and craft beer segments, as major companies pivoted marketing strategies to include alcohol-free products. However, these structural shifts within the market were insufficient to offset the overall volume loss caused by external economic pressures.

Production alcoholic beer in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

Alcoholic beer production in Australia and New Zealand increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, production reached 1 976 million liters, marking a slight improvement of 1.3% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 908 million liters, which saw the largest decline of 0.6%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 2.3%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, M l

Australia and New Zealand exported 38.6 million liters of alcoholic beer in 2021, representing an advance of 3.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 17.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.5%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 51.7 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 57.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 27.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, exports in kind were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. China accounted for 5.8% of exports, Cook Islands for 3.9%, and the United States for 3.4%. Together, these three countries represented just 13.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, alcoholic beer exports from Australia and New Zealand increased in 2021. Exports stood at 40.0 million US dollars, representing an 8.8% rise compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 33.4%, with an average annual decline of 12.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 36.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 33.7%.

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

During 2018–2021, alcoholic beer from Australia and New Zealand was supplied to many different markets. Even the largest destinations—China, Cook Islands, and the United States—together represented only 12.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, M l

Alcoholic beer imports into Australia and New Zealand declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 291.1 million liters, indicating a notable decline of 10.9% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 10.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 364.4 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 12.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico, Italy, and Germany consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind. Mexico accounted for 41.0% of imports, Italy for 8.8%, and Germany for 8.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 58.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer into Australia and New Zealand declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to approximately 325.0 million US dollars, corresponding to a moderate drop of 6.2% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 20.5%, with an average annual decline of 7.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 430.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 19.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Italy were the main destinations for alcoholic beer imports into Australia and New Zealand in value terms. Mexico accounted for 44.0% of imports, the Netherlands for 7.9%, and Italy for 7.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 59.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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