Alcoholic beer market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Italian alcoholic beer market grew from 1 992 million liters to 2 055 million liters. This expansion was driven by the rising craft beer segment, reflecting a cultural shift towards new styles and innovation, and by a boom in low- and non-alcoholic beer fueled by health considerations and regulatory incentives such as the new highway code.

Market volume plunged to 1 710 million liters in 2020 due to prolonged COVID-19 restrictions that closed pubs, bars, and fairs. The decline continued to 1 617 million liters in 2021 as persistent excise tax increases raised consumer prices and dampened demand, particularly for cost-sensitive segments.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2022, with volume surging to 2 370 million liters as consumer interest expanded towards sustainable, organic, and low-alcohol beer options. The market then contracted to 2 133 million liters in 2023 under continued excise pressure and higher production costs, before stabilizing at 2 171 million liters in 2024 with growth in e-commerce and a shift in consumption habits toward out-of-home dining.

Production alcoholic beer in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's alcoholic beer production was valued at 2 746 million US dollars, representing a strong 16.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 25.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 9.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a 19.2% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, Italy ranked 28th globally in terms of alcoholic beer production volume.

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Italy's alcoholic beer production declined. In 2020, Italy produced 1 416 million liters of alcoholic beer, which is 15.7% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 6.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 1 679 million liters, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 20.7% rise.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Italy

Exports in kind, M l

After two consecutive years of growth, Italy's alcoholic beer exports declined. In 2020, exports totaled 331.3 million liters, down by 4.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 16%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 347.3 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia were the main destinations for Italy's alcoholic beer exports in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 48.3% of exports, the United States for 8.1%, and Australia for 7.4%, together representing 63.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's alcoholic beer exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 257.0 million US dollars, marking a 1.2% uptick from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 30.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 9.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for Italy's alcoholic beer exports in value terms was diverse. The United Kingdom accounted for 32.8% of exports, Australia for 8.2%, and the United States for 8.0%, together forming 49.0% of total flows. The remaining 51.0% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Italy

Imports in kind, M l

After two years of growth, Italy's alcoholic beer imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 625.7 million liters, down by 13.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 8.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 3.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 722.7 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 3.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands were the three largest sources for Italy's alcoholic beer imports in volume terms, together accounting for 67.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Italy's alcoholic beer imports declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 577.4 million US dollars, down by 14.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 676.1 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 7.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Denmark were the leading sources for Italy's alcoholic beer imports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 31.4% of imports, Germany for 24.9%, and Denmark for 10.0%, together representing 66.3% of total import flows.

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

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