Alcoholic beer market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

Alcoholic beer production in Brazil increased from 15.3 billion liters in 2018 to 17.7 billion liters in 2020, a 15.5% rise over three years. This growth was supported by the resumption of production after the economic crisis and the expansion of the craft segment, with a growing number of registered breweries adding to total market volume. The COVID-19 pandemic initially impacted the sector in 2020, but consumer shifts towards premium products and pure malt beers helped sustain volumes.

Production declined to 16.4 billion liters in 2022, down 7.5% from the 2020 peak. This downturn coincided with economic challenges such as inflation and rising production costs, which pressured brewers' operations. During this period, the market continued to diversify with a 24% sales increase in non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers, and the number of registered breweries kept expanding, adding 180 new establishments in 2022 alone.

In 2023, production rebounded to 17.9 billion liters, a 9.3% increase from the previous year. This recovery was driven by evolving consumer preferences favoring quality, sophistication, and healthier options like low-carb and non-alcoholic beers. The craft and independent segment expanded further, and major players diversified their portfolios with premium launches, collectively boosting market volume.

Production alcoholic beer in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

Brazil was one of the world's top producers of alcoholic beer from 2018 to 2021, ranking third globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

Brazil's alcoholic beer production volume declined in 2021 after two consecutive years of growth. The country produced 16 949 million liters that year, representing a 4.2% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 10.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 17 691 million liters, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 11.9%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Brazil's alcoholic beer output was valued at 10 035 million US dollars, showing a modest 2.4% increase from the previous year. The lowest value during the 2018-2021 period was recorded in 2020 at 9 803 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 10 936 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 with a 10.4% drop, whereas the largest increase took place in 2019 with a 7.9% rise.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Brazil

Exports in kind, M l

Brazil's alcoholic beer exports grew for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 222.2 million liters—a substantial 32.7% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports expanded by 66.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 125.8 million liters, which also saw a 5.9% decline that year. The most significant increase occurred in 2020 with a 33.1% jump.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Paraguay and Bolivia were the primary destinations for Brazilian alcoholic beer exports, together accounting for 80.4% of total export volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Brazil's alcoholic beer export value continued to grow for the second straight year in 2021, reaching 131.5 million US dollars—a sharp 41.8% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value rose by 48.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 80.3 million US dollars, which also experienced a 9.3% decline that year.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Paraguay remained the most important market for Brazilian alcoholic beer exports in value terms, representing 71.8% of total export value. Other destinations accounted for significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Brazil

Imports in kind, M l

Brazil's alcoholic beer imports increased in 2021 after two years of decline, reaching 16.4 million liters—a slight 2.1% rise from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 69%, with an average annual decline of 32.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 16.0 million liters, which also saw the largest decline of 64.6% that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico, Germany, and Belgium were the main sources of alcoholic beer imports to Brazil in volume terms. Mexico accounted for 43.5% of imports, Germany for 16.1%, and Belgium for 10.9%, together representing 70.5% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Brazil's alcoholic beer import value rose in 2021 after two years of contraction, reaching 17.3 million US dollars—a moderate 4.8% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value fell by 64.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 29.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 16.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 63.2% that year.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Mexico, Germany, and Belgium formed the core group of suppliers for Brazil's alcoholic beer imports in value terms. Mexico accounted for 36.0% of import value, Germany for 17.1%, and Belgium for 14.2%, together representing 67.2% of total import value.

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

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