Alcoholic beer market in Hong Kong

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in Hong Kong underwent a sustained premiumization shift from 2018 to 2024. The industry moved away from volume expansion towards competition on quality and differentiation, highlighted by significant industry-wide price increases in 2018 and 2021. This trend towards higher-value products led to a decline in total market volume from 170 million liters to 148.7 million liters, while the market value remained relatively stable, fluctuating around $134 million, as consumers traded up to more expensive beers.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reduced per capita consumption and disrupted on-trade channels like restaurants and bars, contributing to a market volume drop. In subsequent years, rising health consciousness boosted demand for low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beer varieties. Concurrently, the market saw dynamic growth in craft beer and personalized products, driven by an increase in new craft breweries and the preferences of younger consumers, which added further segmentation to the market.

Production alcoholic beer in Hong Kong

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2018, Hong Kong's alcoholic beer production hit its lowest point at 38 948 thousand liters. The following year, 2019, saw production peak at 55 000 thousand liters, marking a substantial 41.2% increase. However, in 2020, production fell to 47 000 thousand liters, representing a significant 14.5% decline compared to 2019. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018, with an 18.8% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Hong Kong in kind, 2017-2020, K l

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2018, the value of alcoholic beer production in Hong Kong reached its minimum at 42 155 thousand US dollars. Production value then surged to a peak of 61 201 thousand US dollars in 2019, reflecting a notable 45.2% increase. By 2020, the value had dropped to 47 158 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial 22.9% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production value decreased by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hong Kong in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports alcoholic beer from Hong Kong

Exports in kind, M l

Hong Kong's alcoholic beer exports have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, export volume reached 33.6 million liters, up 4.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 11.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Macao, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates were the top contributors to Hong Kong's alcoholic beer exports by volume. Macao accounted for 20.4% of exports, South Korea for 16.6%, and the United Arab Emirates for 15.7%. Together, these three markets represented 52.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Hong Kong's alcoholic beer exports by value declined in 2020. Exports totaled 33.7 million US dollars that year, down 6.1% from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 35.9 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 9.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Macao, China, and South Korea were the primary markets for Hong Kong's alcoholic beer exports by value. Macao led with 41.2% of exports, followed by China at 12.2%, and South Korea at 9.5%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 62.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Hong Kong

Imports in kind, M l

Hong Kong's alcoholic beer imports by volume declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports stood at 146.5 million liters, a slight 0.6% decrease from the previous year. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 161.6 million liters, with the largest increase that year at 0.1%. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, dropping 8.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, South Korea, and Malaysia were the key sources for Hong Kong's alcoholic beer imports by volume. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Hong Kong's alcoholic beer imports by value fell for the second year in a row in 2020. Imports amounted to 115.0 million US dollars, down 3.0% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 125.7 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 2.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping 5.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, South Korea, China, and Malaysia formed the core of Hong Kong's alcoholic beer imports by value. South Korea contributed 29.1% of imports, China 28.5%, and Malaysia 9.5%. Together, these three markets represented 67.1% of total import value.

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

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