Alcoholic beer market in Central Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the alcoholic beer market in Kazakhstan expanded, with market volume growing from 997 million liters to 1,236 million liters. This growth was primarily driven by a health and wellness trend that encouraged consumers to switch from spirits to low-alcohol beverages like beer, boosting overall consumption. Additionally, an increase in the number of beer producers, particularly in regions such as Almaty and Turkestan, contributed to rising production capacity and market volume. The 2017 ban on PET packaging for industrial beer production also reshaped packaging strategies, shifting the mix toward cans and glass bottles.

The market trend reversed from 2023 onward, with market volume falling to 1,003 million liters in 2023. Beer production dropped by 14.8% that year, influenced by shifting consumer preferences and broader economic factors that dampened demand. The expansion of alcohol retail outlets and the growth of online sales channels altered distribution patterns, while a slowdown in price increases reflected adjusted consumer spending behavior.

In 2024, the market continued to contract, with volume declining by an additional 3.1% and production showing negative dynamics. Domestic production maintained a high share exceeding 91% of supply, whereas beer imports fell by 18%. Major players such as Carlsberg Kazakhstan and Anadolu Efes retained their dominant market positions throughout the period.

Production alcoholic beer in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Alcoholic beer production in Central Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Central Asia produced 989.0 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a controlled rise of 4.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 21.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Central Asia's alcoholic beer production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output of alcoholic beer was valued at 455.2 million US dollars in Central Asia, showing an increase of 9.6% versus the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 23.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Central Asia

Exports in kind, M l

Exported alcoholic beer volumes from Central Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Central Asia exported 21.0 million liters of alcoholic beer, indicating a significant uptick of 24.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 195.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the dominant destination for exports in kind, accounting for 77.9% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Alcoholic beer export values from Central Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Central Asia exported 9 649 thousand US dollars worth of alcoholic beer, showing a dramatic advance of 30.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 201.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 44.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the main destination for exports in value terms, taking 77.8% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Central Asia

Imports in kind, M l

Central Asia's alcoholic beer import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 77.1 million liters, showing a decrease of 10.1% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 112.0 million liters. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 23.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 45.5%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Russia was by far the main source for imports in kind of alcoholic beer to Central Asia, accounting for 93.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, imported alcoholic beer volumes in Central Asia declined. In 2020, Central Asia imported approximately 35 170 thousand US dollars worth of alcoholic beer, corresponding to a sudden decrease of 25.8% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 47 408 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 14.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the dominant source for imports in value terms, with a share of 87.8% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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