Alcoholic beer market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in MENA experienced moderate growth in 2018 and 2019, with volume reaching 1 073.3 million liters. This was supported by the entry of new local and international companies focusing on low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beer varieties, alongside a growing consumer trend towards premium and craft products in some countries.

Market volume fell sharply to 888.2 million liters in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and altered consumption patterns. A strong rebound followed in 2021, with volume surging to 1 183.7 million liters as major players launched new low-alcohol and alcohol-free beer products and e-commerce distribution channels expanded significantly, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Growth continued into 2022, reaching 1 249.9 million liters, driven by ongoing entry of innovative companies and increased investments in the sector.

In 2023, market volume saw a slight decline to 1 224.8 million liters. This was influenced by regulatory changes in some countries that tightened control over the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages, coupled with rising energy and global raw material costs that increased production expenses.

Production alcoholic beer in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, MENA produced 704.3 million liters of alcoholic beer, which represents a significant decline of 10.6% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 18.8%, translating to an average annual decrease of 6.7%. The only year that saw growth was 2019, with a modest increase of 0.2%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from MENA

Exports in kind, M l

Alcoholic beer exports from MENA have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 81.6 million liters, showing a sharp rise of 67.5% from the year before. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 226.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 48.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, MENA exported alcoholic beer to numerous countries, and even the top destinations—Spain, Hong Kong, and China—collectively accounted for only 36.5% of total export volume, indicating a broad distribution.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of alcoholic beer exports from MENA has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 49.9 million US dollars, up by 31.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 58%, which corresponds to an average annual increase of 16.5%.

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

The export structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was highly diversified. China, Spain, and Senegal were the leading markets, but together they made up just 28.9% of total export value, with no single country dominating the trade flows.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to MENA

Imports in kind, M l

In 2020, MENA imported 265.5 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a substantial drop of 20.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21.7%, with an average annual decline of 7.8%. The highest growth was in 2019, with an 8.2% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Germany were the largest suppliers of alcoholic beer to MENA, but their combined share was only 35.9% of total import volume, highlighting a diverse sourcing pattern.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of alcoholic beer imports into MENA fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 244.9 million US dollars, down by 14.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 14%, averaging a 4.9% decrease per year. The peak was in 2018 at 297.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.5%.

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

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was spread out, with the Netherlands, Mexico, and Belgium together contributing just 36.7% of total import value. The remaining 63.3% was distributed across a wide array of other countries.

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

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