Alcoholic beer market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the alcoholic beer market in Lithuania showed growth, peaking at 296 million liters in 2022. This expansion took place amid the issuance of new production licenses, which broadened supply, and active investment by major brewing companies in technology and product ranges. Even the tightening of sales rules, including restricted hours and a ban on social media advertising, as well as excise tax increases that drove beer prices up by 17-27% in 2017-2018, did not halt market growth in the early years of the period.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted consumption patterns, boosting at-home drinking and supporting volumes despite the closure of food service venues. In subsequent years, however, the market began to contract. Rising retail prices for alcoholic drinks, which accelerated to 10.6% in 2023, coincided with a consumer shift toward strong alcoholic beverages and the rapid expansion of the non-alcoholic beer segment, whose sales grew by about 30% in 2023. These factors, alongside continued strict state control over sales, led to a decline in the alcoholic beer market volume to 266 million liters in 2024.

Production alcoholic beer in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Lithuania's alcoholic beer production was valued at 239.3 million US dollars, marking a measured gain of 7.2% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 276.6 million US dollars, while the minimum occurred in 2020 at 223.2 million US dollars. The largest increase was seen in 2019 with a 7.4% rise, whereas the largest decline was in 2020, dropping by 19.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

Alcoholic beer production in Lithuania has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 333.8 million liters of alcoholic beer, which is 3.5% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Exports alcoholic beer from Lithuania

Exports in kind, M l

Lithuania's volume of alcoholic beer exports has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 122.4 million liters, representing a 6.6% increase compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports surged by 41.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, M l

From 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Latvia, Russia, and Estonia—collectively accounted for 78.5% of Lithuania's total alcoholic beer exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign alcoholic beer supplies from Lithuania have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 68 972 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong increase of 10.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 52%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Russia, Latvia, and Estonia formed the key group of partners for Lithuania's alcoholic beer exports in value terms. Russia accounted for 36.1% of exports, Latvia for 31.1%, and Estonia for 5.8%, jointly representing 73.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports alcoholic beer to Lithuania

Imports in kind, M l

Lithuania's volume of alcoholic beer imports has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported 82.1 million liters of alcoholic beer, reflecting a solid improvement of 12.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports rose by 19%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Belarus, Ukraine, and Poland remained the key partners for Lithuania's alcoholic beer imports in volume terms. Belarus accounted for 34.2% of imports, Ukraine for 16.0%, and Poland for 7.5%, together making up 57.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Alcoholic beer imports into Lithuania have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 42 650 thousand US dollars, representing a modest rise of 8.9% over the past year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over 2018 to 2021, there was no single dominant market for alcoholic beer imports into Lithuania. Belarus accounted for 15.5% of imports in value terms, Germany for 10.9%, and the Netherlands for 8.6%, together taking only 35.0% of total imports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021