Alcoholic beer market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the French alcoholic beer market volume increased from 2 373 M l to 2 532 M l. This expansion was supported by the launch of approximately 500 new microbreweries, which broadened product variety and boosted consumption, particularly in the café and restaurant segment. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of many on-premise venues, causing the market volume to contract to 2 307 M l, although remote sales channels like drive-throughs and online platforms accelerated.

Market volume recovered to 2 417 M l in 2021 and continued growing to 2 541 M l in 2022. A key driver in 2022 was beer being designated the favorite alcoholic drink of the French for the first time since 2010, reinforcing consumer demand. The craft brewery movement remained active, with 312 new breweries opening that year, further stimulating local production and segment diversity.

In 2023, the market volume declined to 2 399 M l. This decrease occurred alongside a 10% rise in the average selling price of beer and a reported drop of approximately 3% in volume within large-scale retail, indicating that higher prices and shifts in distribution channels impacted consumption.

Production alcoholic beer in France

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Between 2017 and 2020, France ranked 19th globally in alcoholic beer production.

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, France produced 2 022 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a 2.2% decrease from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 981 million liters, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 2 069 million liters. The most significant year-over-year increase was in 2019, when production rose by 4.4%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from France

Exports in kind, M l

Alcoholic beer exports from France grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 550.3 million liters—a 10.4% increase compared to 2019. However, over the full 2017–2020 period, exports declined by 15.3%, translating to an annualized decrease of 5.4%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 438.3 million liters, which saw the sharpest drop of 32.6%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports rising by 13.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were the top destinations for France's alcoholic beer exports by volume. Spain accounted for 24.4% of exports, the United Kingdom for 16.1%, and the Netherlands for 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented 51.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, France exported $414 million worth of alcoholic beer, a 17.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports grew by 2.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $352 million, which also saw the largest decline of 13.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France's alcoholic beer exports by value were distributed across multiple countries without a single dominant partner. Spain accounted for 19.3% of export value, the United Kingdom for 15.1%, and China for 8.7%. Combined, these three countries made up 43.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to France

Imports in kind, M l

After two years of growth, France's imports of alcoholic beer by volume declined in 2020, totaling 962.0 million liters—a 13.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 4.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 962.0 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 15.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany were the primary sources of France's alcoholic beer imports by volume. Belgium contributed 55.2% of imports, the Netherlands 20.9%, and Germany 9.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 85.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's alcoholic beer imports by value rose for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching $1 099 million—an 8.0% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 32.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany consistently remained the main sources of France's alcoholic beer imports by value. Belgium accounted for 61.5% of import value, the Netherlands for 16.8%, and Germany for 6.2%. Together, these three countries represented 84.5% of total import flows.

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

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