Alcoholic beer market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market volume in Northern Europe remained relatively stable at around 7 600 million liters in 2018 and 2019. This period was marked by the establishment of an association for Icelandic craft breweries, which promoted beer culture and encouraged the entry of new small breweries. Significant investments were also made, such as Ölgerðin's quadrupling of its can production line capacity, aimed at increasing overall output.

Market volume fell sharply to 6 028 million liters in 2020. During this year, a legislative proposal was introduced to permit domestic online alcohol sales and on-site sales at production facilities, measures designed to improve market access for smaller breweries. Volume recovered to 6 180 million liters in 2021 and grew slightly to 6 225 million liters in 2022, supported by the continued development and strengthening of the craft beer segment alongside a reported increase in overall alcohol consumption.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 5 554 million liters. This decline coincided with a significant rise in the popularity of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers, reflecting a clear shift in consumer preferences towards these alternatives. The market also saw the influence of new foreign beverage trends, such as the popularity of Soju, which further altered drinking habits.

Production alcoholic beer in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Alcoholic beer production in Northern Europe has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5 933 million liters of alcoholic beer, which represents a 19.8% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 29.5%, with an average annual decline of 11.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of alcoholic beer production in Northern Europe reached 6 110 million US dollars, marking a significant 32.7% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 33%, with an average annual decline of 12.5%. The only increase during this time occurred in 2019, when production value rose by 3.8%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, M l

Following two years of decline, alcoholic beer exports from Northern Europe showed a modest recovery in 2020. Export volumes reached 1 227 million liters, representing a slight 2.9% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 192 million liters, when exports fell by 7.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, alcoholic beer exports from Northern Europe were distributed across a wide range of markets. Germany accounted for 13.3% of export volumes, the United States for 10.7%, and France for 6.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 30.7% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Alcoholic beer exports from Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The region exported 1 264 million US dollars worth of alcoholic beer, reflecting a substantial 13.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 12.4%, with an average annual decline of 4.3%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 1 478 million US dollars, when exports increased by 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical distribution of alcoholic beer exports from Northern Europe showed remarkable diversity in value terms. The United States accounted for 14.7% of export value, Germany for 12.4%, and France for 7.9%. Together, these three markets represented only 35.0% of total export flows, while the remaining 65.0% was distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, M l

After two years of decline, alcoholic beer imports into Northern Europe rebounded in 2020. Import volumes reached 1 321 million liters, showing a strong 10.9% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.3%, with an average annual decline of 4.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 192 million liters, following an 18.5% decline in 2018.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands was the largest supplier of alcoholic beer to Northern Europe, accounting for 11.9% of import volumes, followed by Italy at 9.9% and France at 6.9%. Even combined, these three countries represented just 28.7% of total import volumes, demonstrating a broadly diversified supplier base for the region.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern Europe's alcoholic beer imports reached 1 371 million US dollars, showing a moderate 4.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 14%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 when imports fell by 2.6%, while the strongest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 12.3% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, alcoholic beer imports into Northern Europe showed a highly diversified geographical structure in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 12.1% of import value, Mexico for 12.0%, and Germany for 7.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 31.4% of total import flows, indicating a broad spread across multiple supplier markets.

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

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