Alcoholic beer market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian alcoholic beer market showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2021. After starting at 765.5 million liters in 2018, market volume increased to 812.3 million liters in 2019, then fell sharply to 716.8 million liters in 2020. This was followed by a dramatic surge to 956.5 million liters in 2021. Early signs of evolving tastes appeared in 2018, with notable sales declines for light beer and radler, pointing to initial shifts in consumer preferences.

Following the 2021 peak, the market contracted to 761.0 million liters in 2022, a period that nonetheless saw the continued diversification of the market through a growing number of microbreweries. Volume partially recovered to 787.9 million liters in 2023, fueled by a pronounced consumer trend toward non-alcoholic beer—whose regular drinker base grew significantly—and rising demand for organic beer and sustainable, reusable packaging. In 2024, market volume decreased slightly to 763.4 million liters, pressured by high production costs from energy and wages, alongside a sustained shift in consumption habits toward responsible drinking and non-alcoholic alternatives, which recorded an 8.4% output increase.

Production alcoholic beer in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Austria's alcoholic beer production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 882 million US dollars, marking an 11.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 11.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 018 million US dollars, with the largest year-over-year increase of 1.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, Austria produced 734.1 million liters of alcoholic beer, representing a significant 11.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 17.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 3.0%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Austria

Exports in kind, M l

Alcoholic beer exports from Austria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 80.2 million liters, showing a 19.7% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 31.7%, with a compound annual decline of 11.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 126.1 million liters. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 20.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Slovenia, and Germany were the main markets for Austria's alcoholic beer exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 22.9% of exports, Slovenia for 22.2%, and Germany for 14.7%, together representing 59.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Austria's alcoholic beer export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 65 445 thousand US dollars, which is 20.4% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 30.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 11.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 99 130 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 5.4% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Slovenia accounted for the largest share of Austria's alcoholic beer exports in value terms. Italy represented 27.8% of exports, Germany 15.0%, and Slovenia 14.1%, together comprising 56.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Austria

Imports in kind, M l

Austria's alcoholic beer import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 62.8 million liters, indicating a notable 24.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.4%, with a compound annual decline of 2.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 86.9 million liters, with the largest increase of 26.7% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Czechia, and Mexico dominated Austria's alcoholic beer imports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 54.6% of imports, Czechia for 14.8%, and Mexico for 11.2%, together representing 80.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, Austria's alcoholic beer import value declined. In 2020, imports totaled 63 423 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a sharp reduction of 31.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 15%, equating to an average annual decline of 5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 93 124 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 23.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Mexico, and Czechia were the key sources for Austria's alcoholic beer imports in value terms, together accounting for 77.8% of total import flows.

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

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