Alcoholic beer market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the alcoholic beer market in Mexico fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 9 120 million liters in 2022 after recovering from a pandemic-driven drop. The decline to 7 352 million liters in 2020 was primarily due to COVID-19 restrictions, which reduced out-of-home consumption despite increased at-home drinking. Growth in 2021 and 2022 was supported by major production investments, such as Constellation Brands' $1.5 billion expansion in Sonora aimed at boosting annual capacity, and by distribution changes including new contracts allowing Grupo Modelo brands in OXXO stores.

Consumer preferences shifted toward craft beer, non-alcoholic variants, and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, driving portfolio diversification. The introduction of flavored beers and hard seltzers attracted younger drinkers, while the rise of online sales and convenient packaging formats sustained market activity during and after the pandemic. The craft segment grew steadily, supported by regulatory reforms that facilitated microbrewery operations and tasting rooms.

Regulatory updates, including new labeling rules introduced in May 2018 and state-level alcohol law reforms in 2021 and 2022, created a more favorable environment for small producers and innovation. However, inflationary pressures in 2022-2023 affected costs and consumer spending, contributing to the market's contraction to 8 325 million liters in 2023.

Production alcoholic beer in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

Globally, Mexico ranked as the 4th largest producer of alcoholic beer from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

In 2021, Mexico produced 12 401 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a gradual increase of 4.5% compared to the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 12 450 million liters, then dropped to its lowest point in 2020 at 11 868 million liters, representing the largest decline of 4.7% during this period.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Mexico

Exports in kind, M l

After two years of growth, Mexico's exports of alcoholic beer declined. In 2021, exports fell to 3 635 million liters, a decrease of 20.1% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports dropped by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 4 551 million liters, following the largest increase of 4.2% in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the primary buyer of alcoholic beer from Mexico, accounting for 89.5% of total exports in volume, while other partners held relatively small shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Mexico's cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer reached 5 016 million US dollars, showing a significant increase of 13.3% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 18.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 2.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the value of alcoholic beer exports from Mexico was heavily concentrated in the United States, which accounted for 90.2% of the total.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Mexico

Imports in kind, M l

Mexico's imports of alcoholic beer declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 31 million liters, an 8.8% decrease year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 81.9%, translating to an annualized decline of 43.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States supplied 82.2% of Mexico's total imports in volume, with the remaining imports distributed among a diverse group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Mexico's imports of alcoholic beer declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 35 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate decrease of 8.1% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports dropped by 82.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -44.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States consistently represented 82.1% of Mexico's total imports in value, highlighting a strong reliance on this market, while the remainder was shared among other countries.

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

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