Alcoholic beer market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The New Zealand alcoholic beer market volume grew from 315.4 million liters in 2018 to 329.5 million liters in 2019, supported by the country's vibrant craft beer scene and beer tourism. New Zealand had the highest number of microbreweries per capita globally, with consumers increasingly favoring quality over quantity. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to border closures and a loss of international tourists, causing market volume to contract to 320.7 million liters.

Market volume partially recovered to 322.4 million liters in 2021 and rose to 335.6 million liters in 2022, driven by growing consumer interest in low-alcohol beer varieties and continuous innovation in styles and flavors by brewers. This shift towards more diverse and premium options contributed to a steady increase in market value, which reached $361.2 million in 2022.

In 2023, market volume declined to 309.7 million liters while value rose to $371.8 million, reflecting a sustained consumer trend towards higher-value products and lower-alcohol offerings. The craft segment remained dynamic, and the industry saw discussions around modernizing alcohol regulations to simplify licensing and reduce bureaucracy.

Production alcoholic beer in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

New Zealand's alcoholic beer production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 292.5 million liters, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 298.0 million liters, which represented a 1.8% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 1.7%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output value of alcoholic beer in New Zealand was 290.1 million US dollars, showing a slight improvement of 1.7% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 303.3 million US dollars, marking a 5.8% increase. The minimum value occurred in 2020 at 285.4 million US dollars, which saw a decline of 5.9%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from New Zealand

Exports in kind, K l

Alcoholic beer exports from New Zealand declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, New Zealand exported 26 168 thousand liters, showing a moderate decline of 5.4% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 18%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K l

From 2018 to 2021, Australia, China, and the Cook Islands were the main destinations for New Zealand's alcoholic beer exports in volume terms. Australia accounted for 68.2% of exports, China for 8.8%, and the Cook Islands for 6.0%. Together, these three countries represented 83.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

New Zealand's alcoholic beer export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 25 957 thousand US dollars, marking a controlled fall of 3.6% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value decreased by 17.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Australia, China, and the Cook Islands stood out as the main markets for New Zealand's alcoholic beer exports in value terms. Australia accounted for 68.1% of exports, China for 8.8%, and the Cook Islands for 6.1%. Collectively, these three markets represented 82.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to New Zealand

Imports in kind, K l

In 2021, New Zealand imported 56 035 thousand liters of alcoholic beer, up by 1.3% from 2020. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 59 654 thousand liters, which saw a 9.0% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 7.2%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 2.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K l

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico, Australia, and the Netherlands led the structure of alcoholic beer imports into New Zealand in volume terms. Mexico accounted for 45.9% of imports, Australia for 15.5%, and the Netherlands for 10.0%. Together, these three countries represented 71.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, New Zealand imported 66 439 thousand US dollars worth of alcoholic beer, up by 5.8% from the previous year. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at 71 096 thousand US dollars, which saw a 10.0% increase. The minimum value occurred in 2020 at 62 786 thousand US dollars, marking a decline of 11.7%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 2.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico, Australia, and the Netherlands were the primary suppliers of alcoholic beer to New Zealand in value terms. Mexico accounted for 45.8% of imports, Australia for 15.5%, and the Netherlands for 10.0%. Jointly, these three suppliers accounted for 71.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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