Alcoholic beer market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The Finnish alcoholic beer market entered a period of gradual decline from 2018 onward. The major alcohol law reform in March 2018 liberalized the market, allowing stronger beers in retail stores and direct sales from craft breweries, which stimulated the craft segment. However, this was counteracted by successive excise tax increases in 2018, 2019, and 2021, raising beer prices and dampening overall consumption. The market volume, which stood at 413.2 million liters in 2018, began to contract as higher taxes reduced consumer demand.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021 further pressured the market, as restrictions on hospitality venues cut into on-trade beer sales. Although festivals and events returned after 2022, supporting visibility, the market continued to shrink. Structural shifts, such as the rising popularity of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers, altered consumption patterns but did not offset the decline in traditional alcoholic beer volume. By 2024, the market had fallen to 349.8 million liters, reflecting sustained pressure from taxation and changing preferences.

Production alcoholic beer in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Alcoholic beer production in Finland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 264.3 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 0.9% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 5.2%, when production peaked at 275.3 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, Finland's alcoholic beer production increased in 2020, reaching 380.4 million liters. This represented only a marginal fluctuation compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 5.0%, with the minimum value occurring in 2019 at 379.6 million liters.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Finland

Exports in kind, K l

After a two-year decline, exported alcoholic beer volumes from Finland increased in 2020, totaling 13,512 thousand liters. This marked a gradual gain of 4.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 40.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 32.7%, when exports hit their lowest point at 12,990 thousand liters.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Finland in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Estonia, Lithuania, and Russia remained the top buyers of alcoholic beer from Finland in volume terms. Estonia accounted for 45.0% of exports, Lithuania for 16.7%, and Russia for 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented 74.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer from Finland declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 10,034 thousand US dollars, marking a drop of 28.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 36.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Estonia, Russia, and Lithuania led as the top buyers of alcoholic beer from Finland in value terms. Estonia accounted for 45.8% of exports, Russia for 18.4%, and Lithuania for 12.1%. Their combined share reached 76.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Finland

Imports in kind, K l

Cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer to Finland declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 39,471 thousand liters, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Mexico, and Czechia continued to be the main suppliers of alcoholic beer to Finland in volume terms. Germany accounted for 39.0% of imports, Mexico for 12.8%, and Czechia for 10.3%. Together, these three countries represented 62.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year improvement, alcoholic beer deliveries to Finland declined in 2020. Imports totaled 40,677 thousand US dollars, marking a fall of 11.8% from a year earlier. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 6.4%, when imports peaked at 46,095 thousand US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Mexico, and Czechia formed the main cluster of markets for imports of alcoholic beer to Finland in value terms. Germany accounted for 28.6% of imports, Mexico for 15.0%, and Czechia for 11.1%. Their combined share was 54.8% of total flows.

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

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