Alcoholic beer market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The Belarusian beer market showed steady growth early in the period, with volume increasing from 477.9 million liters in 2018 to a peak of 501.3 million liters in 2020. This expansion was driven by the entry of eight new breweries and the launch of diverse new beer styles, including sour ales, which stimulated consumer interest. The consolidation of Heineken's assets under the 'Bobruisk Brewery' brand strengthened local production capacity.

Following the peak, market volume entered a downward trend, declining to 468.4 million liters in 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced disruptions to the industry, affecting consumer behavior and contributing to subsequent contractions in both production and consumption.

By 2024, regulatory shifts came into effect, including higher import duties on beer from unfriendly countries and new excise rules. Concurrently, non-alcoholic and flavored beer segments gained traction, with non-alcoholic beer sales growing by 9% in 2024. Consumer preferences continued to shift toward low- and mid-alcohol beverages.

Production alcoholic beer in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Belarus's alcoholic beer production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 432.8 million liters, representing a modest decrease of 6.1% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 475.6 million liters, which saw a slight increase of 0.9% that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Alcoholic beer production in Belarus decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 141.4 million US dollars, down 14.3% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 30.2%, with an average annual decline of 11.3%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Belarus

Exports in kind, M l

Alcoholic beer exports from Belarus fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 78.8 million liters, a decrease of 14.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 38.9%, with an average annual drop of 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Lithuania were the main buyers of alcoholic beer from Belarus, together accounting for 82.3% of total exports in volume. The remaining share was distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer from Belarus declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 25 750 thousand US dollars, down 22.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 53.5%, with an average annual decline of 22.6%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Russia and Lithuania dominated Belarus's alcoholic beer exports in value terms, together making up 84.9% of total flows. Other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Belarus

Imports in kind, M l

Imported alcoholic beer volumes in Belarus increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 147.3 million liters, a significant rise of 24.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 59.8%, with an average annual increase of 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Ukraine were the dominant sources for alcoholic beer imports into Belarus in volume terms, jointly representing 91.5% of total flows. Other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported alcoholic beer volumes in Belarus rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value reached 62 341 thousand US dollars, a modest increase of 3.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 40.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia, Ukraine, and Lithuania were the primary suppliers of alcoholic beer to Belarus in value terms. Russia accounted for 46.0% of imports, Ukraine for 32.9%, and Lithuania for 5.4%, together making up 84.2% of total import value.

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

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