Alcoholic beer market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, the German alcoholic beer market saw a gradual decline in volume, dropping from 7.4 billion liters to 6.4 billion liters. Market value followed a different path, falling initially before recovering steadily after 2020 to reach $6.3 billion in 2024, signaling a move toward higher-value products.

The contraction in volume accelerated in 2023 and 2024, driven by shifting consumer preferences toward healthier lifestyles and increased demand for non‑alcoholic and low‑alcohol beers. Concurrently, beer prices rose by over 22% since 2020, which restrained consumption while pushing market value upward through premiumization.

A key structural change was the rapid expansion of the non‑alcoholic beer segment, which more than doubled since 2003 and captured 8.9% of the market by 2023. Brewers responded with innovations such as vitamin‑ and mineral‑enriched functional beers, targeting health‑conscious consumers and helping to sustain value growth despite the overall volume decline.

Production alcoholic beer in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's alcoholic beer production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 6 247 million US dollars, showing a limited year-over-year decrease of 5.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.1%, while the peak value was recorded in 2018 at 7 022 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, Germany maintained the 5th position globally in alcoholic beer production volume.

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Germany's alcoholic beer production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 7 535 million liters were produced, down 6.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 295 million liters, which also experienced the largest increase of 1.8%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Germany

Exports in kind, M l

After a two-year advance, Germany's alcoholic beer exports declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 533 million liters, marking a limited decrease of 4.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 1 599 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 1.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany exported alcoholic beer to numerous markets, with the top destinations—Italy, China, and Russia—accounting for only 39.2% of total export volume combined.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's alcoholic beer export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 293 million US dollars, showing a limited drop of 4.4% from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 374 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's alcoholic beer exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Italy, China, and the United States together represented only 40.2% of total export value, with shares of 22.5%, 9.8%, and 7.9% respectively.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Germany

Imports in kind, M l

After a two-year increase, Germany's alcoholic beer imports declined. In 2020, imports reached 690 million liters, down 6.2% from 2019. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 735 million liters, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6.1%.

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

In 2017-2020, Denmark, Belgium, and Czechia were the leading suppliers of alcoholic beer to Germany, accounting for 65.1% of total import volume. Denmark held 33.2%, Belgium 17.9%, and Czechia 14.0%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year improvement, Germany's alcoholic beer imports declined. In 2020, imports stood at 465 million US dollars, corresponding to a strong year-over-year drop of 11.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The peak value was in 2019 at 524 million US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, Czechia, and Belgium were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of Germany's alcoholic beer imports by value, with a combined share of 65.0%. Denmark accounted for 38.5%, while Czechia and Belgium each held 13.3%.

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

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