Alcoholic beer market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the alcoholic beer market in CIS expanded from 8 616 to 8 901 million liters. Initial stability in 2018-2019 was supported by sanctions and the exit of foreign brands, which freed up space for local producers to maintain volume. The 3.1% growth in 2020 was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted consumption toward home drinking, and the introduction of digital labeling for alcohol, which helped curb the illicit market and brought more volume into the legal sphere.

Market growth continued in 2021, reaching 9 098 million liters, partly due to restrictions on strong alcohol that shifted consumer preference toward beer. The ongoing rollout of digital labeling further secured the legal market. In 2022, tightening excise policy and geopolitical sanctions affecting imports led to a slight stabilization at 9 085 million liters. By 2023, the market rose to 9 146 million liters, fueled by the expansion of retail networks specializing in alcohol and an active wave of new product launches stimulating demand.

For 2024, regulatory changes included the mandatory digital labeling of beer in aluminum cans from January and increased excise taxes on strong alcohol from May, continuing the trend of policy measures that shape the market environment.

Production alcoholic beer in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, CIS countries produced 8 567 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a 2.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of alcoholic beer in CIS countries was valued at 8 170 million US dollars, showing a strong gain of 16.2% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 033 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 8 462 million US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2019, with a drop of 16.9%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from CIS

Exports in kind, M l

After two years of growth, cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer from CIS countries declined. In 2020, exports reached 176.4 million liters, which is 22.5% lower year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 9.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 227.6 million liters, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 13.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for exports of alcoholic beer from CIS countries in kind was quite broad. Ukraine accounted for 18.1% of exports in kind, China for 7.8%, and Lithuania for 6.2%, together representing only 32.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer from CIS countries declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports came to 168.2 million US dollars, which is 12.5% lower compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 13.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 201.6 million US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports of alcoholic beer from CIS countries in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Ukraine represented 13.3% of exports in value terms, China 10.7%, and Lithuania 3.5%, jointly accounting for 27.5% of total flows, while many other countries made up the remaining 72.5%.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to CIS

Imports in kind, M l

After a two-year rise, the volume of alcoholic beer imports into CIS countries declined. In 2020, imports reached 510.7 million liters, down by 4.4% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 71.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 534.3 million liters, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 39.8%.

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

The structure of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Germany accounted for 22.7% of imports in kind, Ukraine for 10.9%, and Czechia for 7.1%, together making up just 40.7% of total flows, with no country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Alcoholic beer imports into CIS countries increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, a total of value_last_year million US dollars of alcoholic beer was imported, corresponding to a modest increase of 7.6% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 61.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of alcoholic beer to CIS countries were not concentrated on a few key markets. Germany accounted for 28.5% of imports in value terms, Czechia for 8.7%, and Belgium for 7.9%, jointly representing only 45.1% of total flows.

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

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