Alcoholic beer market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in Central America demonstrated initial stability from 2018 to 2019, with volume edging up from 9 225 million liters to 9 296 million liters. This phase was marked by the dominant position of local breweries like Fifco and a rising craft beer segment, alongside a clear consumer preference for canned formats. The market was then sharply disrupted in 2020 by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted supply chains and consumption, leading to a contraction to 8 613 million liters.

A strong rebound followed in 2021, with market volume surging to 10 121 million liters as pandemic effects waned and the local craft beer offer expanded with brands like La Selva and Papagayo Brewing gaining presence. Growth continued into 2022, reaching 10 435 million liters, a period that saw AB InBev strategically adapt to the market by globally renaming one of its beers for its Costa Rican entry. However, the market volume retreated to 9 642 million liters in 2023.

By 2024, the market's structure was evidenced by an updated official registry of alcohol beverage importers, manufacturers, and wholesalers, showcasing a mix of domestic and foreign companies, while consumer fondness for craft beers and canned presentations remained a constant trend throughout the entire period.

Production alcoholic beer in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Central America's alcoholic beer production saw a two-year growth period before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 13 506 million liters. However, in 2020, output fell to 12 879 million liters, marking a 4.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 6.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 9.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Alcoholic beer production in Central America experienced a two-year upward trend before turning downward. In 2019, production value peaked at 13 680 million US dollars. In 2020, the value dropped to 12 702 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate year-on-year decline of 7.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 7.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a 9.8% rise.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Central America

Exports in kind, M l

Exported volumes of alcoholic beer from Central America increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, exports totaled 4 533 million liters, and in 2020, they remained nearly unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant market for Central America's alcoholic beer exports in volume terms, accounting for 87.1% of total flows. Other countries collectively made up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, alcoholic beer shipments from Central America to foreign markets declined. In 2019, exports reached their highest value at 4 585 million US dollars. In 2020, exports fell to 4 470 million US dollars, representing a 2.5% reduction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 22.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 16.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the United States held the dominant position in Central America's alcoholic beer exports in value terms, accounting for 87.7% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Central America

Imports in kind, M l

Imported volumes of alcoholic beer into Central America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports peaked at 351 million liters, with a 26.2% increase that year. In 2020, imports dropped to 266 million liters, which is 15.6% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of alcoholic beer into Central America in volume terms were relatively evenly distributed. The United States accounted for 42.8% of imports, Belgium for 4.2%, and the Netherlands for 1.3%, with these three countries together representing 48.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer into Central America declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, imports reached their maximum value at 395 million US dollars, with a 20.9% increase that year. In 2020, imports fell to 263 million US dollars, down by 23.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 19.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2017-2020, the leading sources for alcoholic beer imports into Central America in value terms were the United States, accounting for 53.6% of imports, Belgium at 5.1%, and the Netherlands at 1.5%. Together, these three countries represented 60.2% of total flows.

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

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