Alcoholic beer market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume of alcoholic beer in Greece declined from 442.8 M l in 2018 to 329.8 M l in 2022. During this period, the market was characterized by the development of microbreweries, which increased to around 50 small and medium-sized producers, enhancing product diversity. Additionally, Greek brands such as Alpha beer strengthened their position, doubling its market share since 2014, reflecting a shift towards domestic products amid the dominance of multinational subsidiaries.

A turnaround began in 2023, when market volume grew by 15.2% to 379.9 M l, largely driven by increased tourist flows that boosted demand for beer. Growth continued in 2024 to 416.7 M l, supported by income stabilization, further tourism growth, and a consumer shift towards premium and craft products. Major breweries like Olympic Brewery planned investments over €30 M for 2024-2026, while the non-alcoholic beer segment recorded a separate 9% consumption rise. However, the market faced high retail prices due to successive excise duty and VAT increases, which kept prices 54% above the EU average in 2024.

Production alcoholic beer in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2018, Greece's alcoholic beer production reached its peak value at 522.8 million US dollars. This was followed by a significant decline of 16.4% in 2019, bringing the value down to 437.0 million US dollars. In 2020, production recovered with a 5.9% increase, reaching 462.7 million US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 12.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece 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

In 2018, Greece's alcoholic beer production peaked at 449.1 million liters, marking a substantial 23.6% increase from the previous year. However, production fell by 11.4% in 2019. By 2020, it had rebounded to 413.5 million liters, showing a 4.0% growth compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.8%, averaging an annual increase of 4.4%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Greece

Exports in kind, K l

Greece's alcoholic beer exports have grown for two consecutive years. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 35 653 thousand liters, declining by 24.3% from the previous year. By 2020, exports surged to 60 378 thousand liters, a 30.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports expanded by 28.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Albania, Bulgaria, and Germany were the top destinations for Greece's alcoholic beer exports by volume. Albania accounted for 37.3% of exports, Bulgaria for 19.5%, and Germany for 9.3%. Together, these three countries represented 66.2% of Greece's total export flows in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Greece's alcoholic beer export revenues have risen for two years in a row. In 2018, export value was at its minimum of 21 710 thousand US dollars, dropping by 11.1% from the prior year. By 2020, exports climbed to 32 244 thousand US dollars, a 36.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, export value grew by 32.1%, with an average annual rate of 9.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Albania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus were the leading buyers of Greek alcoholic beer by value. Albania contributed 23.4% of export value, Bulgaria 22.1%, and Cyprus 7.1%. Collectively, these three markets made up 52.5% of Greece's total export value.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Greece

Imports in kind, K l

Greece's alcoholic beer imports have been on a downward trend. In 2019, imports increased by 5.0%, but in 2020, they dropped sharply by 16.4% to 25 765 thousand liters. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 18.9%, with an average annual decline of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Belgium were the primary sources of alcoholic beer imports to Greece by volume. Germany supplied 27.2% of imports, France 19.3%, and Belgium 9.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 56.1% of Greece's total import flows in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Greece's alcoholic beer import value declined in 2020. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 34 864 thousand US dollars, with a 6.9% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, imports fell by 26.6% to 25 607 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 21.1%, averaging an annual drop of 7.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, Belgium, and Mexico were the key suppliers of alcoholic beer to Greece by value. Germany represented 22.8% of import value, Belgium 16.1%, and Mexico 13.5%. Combined, these three markets constituted 52.3% of Greece's total import flows in value terms.

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

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