Alcoholic beer market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The North American alcoholic beer market saw a gradual contraction in physical volume from over 23.8 million liters in 2018 to under 21.5 million liters in 2023. During this period, the market's value began a sustained recovery after 2021, rising from $20.2 billion in 2020 to $23.7 billion in 2023, underscoring a dominant premiumization trend where consumers traded up to more expensive products.

This shift toward higher-value consumption was propelled by the continuous expansion of craft breweries and the successful launch of new products targeting health-conscious drinkers. From 2019, increased consumer demand for distinctive, higher-quality craft beers and for low-alcohol or non-alcohol options supported the premium segment. Marketing campaigns focused on consumers under 40 and innovations like low-carb lagers further stimulated value growth from 2021 onward, even as total volume kept declining.

By 2023, the market's volume decline accelerated as younger demographics increasingly favored spirits and flavored ready-to-drink beverages over beer. Concurrent innovation, reflected in regulatory approvals for products like hard kombucha and labels emphasizing natural ingredients, aimed to capture value through premiumization and new segments, countering the broader trend of falling beer consumption.

Production alcoholic beer in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Northern America's alcoholic beer production has been declining for three years in a row. In 2020, the region produced 22 649 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a 2.6% decrease from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern America's alcoholic beer production value has dropped for two consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 19 846 million US dollars, down 5.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 8.8%, with an average annual decline of 3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 21 949 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 0.9%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Northern America

Exports in kind, M l

In 2020, alcoholic beer exports from Northern America totaled 117.4 million liters, a 3.4% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 8.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 at 6.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 1.0%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign alcoholic beer supplies from Northern America have declined for three straight years. In 2020, exports amounted to 102.9 million US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 5.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 11.2%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 3.9%.

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

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Northern America

Imports in kind, M l

After two years of growth, alcoholic beer deliveries to Northern America declined. In 2020, imports reached 296.2 million liters, indicating a modest decrease of 6.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 317.0 million liters, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Belgium were the main sources for alcoholic beer imports to Northern America in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 19.6% of imports, Mexico for 19.5%, and Belgium for 13.1%, together making up 52.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign alcoholic beer supplies to Northern America have fallen for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports stood at 493.9 million US dollars, representing a solid decrease of 12.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 586.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 0.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Belgium remained the key markets for alcoholic beer imports to Northern America in value terms. The Netherlands held 21.0% of imports, Mexico 18.0%, and Belgium 11.8%, collectively accounting for 50.7% of total flows.

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

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