Alcoholic beer market in Norway

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Norwegian alcoholic beer market experienced sharp fluctuations. Market volume dropped from 567 million liters in 2018 to 250 million liters in 2019, coinciding with the introduction of reduced excise duties for small producers of beer with alcohol strength between 3.7% and 4.7%, effective from January 2019. In 2020, market volume recovered to 324 million liters, supported by pandemic-driven changes in consumption patterns, including increased at-home consumption, as well as the rapid growth of the non-alcoholic beer segment, which saw sales rise by 20% in retail.

In the following years, the market continued to fluctuate. After the post-pandemic reopening in 2021, market volume declined to 291 million liters, while the industry faced heightened competition and price wars. In 2022, the removal of the possibility to exchange tobacco quotas for beer upon entry into Norway restricted sales, contributing to a further drop in volume to 277 million liters. However, the non-alcoholic beer segment continued to expand, growing by 12% that year. By 2023, market volume saw a modest increase to 284 million liters, with beer sales through the state monopoly Vinmonopolet rising by 1.7%.

By 2024, market volume contracted to 261 million liters, against a backdrop of shifting consumer preferences, including declining support for wine sales in grocery stores, reflecting broader changes in attitudes towards alcohol. The government continued efforts to expand opportunities for farm-gate sales of alcoholic beverages to support local producers, while the market overall was characterized by high competition and growing interest in non-alcoholic and low-alcohol options.

Production alcoholic beer in Norway

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Norway's alcoholic beer production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 253.0 million US dollars, marking a 6.4% rise compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 20.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 207.7 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 1.2%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 14.5% jump.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

In 2021, Norway produced 232.8 million liters of alcoholic beer, representing a significant decline of 17.0% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production fell by 56.6%, equating to an annualized decrease of 24.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 214.9 million liters, which experienced the largest drop of 60.0%. However, 2020 saw the largest increase, with a 30.6% rise.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Norway

Exports in kind, K l

After two years of contraction, Norway's alcoholic beer export volumes rebounded. In 2021, exports totaled 4 352 thousand liters, a 42.5% increase over the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 3 054 thousand liters, which saw the largest decline of 25.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden, Denmark, and the United Kingdom led Norway's alcoholic beer export structure in volume terms. Sweden accounted for 25.3% of exports, Denmark for 24.7%, and the United Kingdom for 12.2%, together representing 62.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Norway exported 10 479 thousand US dollars worth of alcoholic beer in 2021, equivalent to a 25.7% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports rose by 16.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 8 340 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 9.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets—Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Denmark—together absorbed 55.2% of Norway's total alcoholic beer exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Norway

Imports in kind, K l

Norway's alcoholic beer import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, import volume reached 61 997 thousand liters, reflecting a dramatic year-over-year rise of 33.9%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports surged by 74.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 20.3%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Denmark, Estonia, and Mexico were the largest sources of Norway's alcoholic beer imports in volume terms, together accounting for 54.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Norway's imported alcoholic beer amounted to 57 797 thousand US dollars, reflecting a solid year-over-year uptick of 15.6%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 24.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 1.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico, Denmark, and Estonia played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of alcoholic beer to Norway in value terms. Mexico accounted for 15.8% of imports, Denmark for 13.4%, and Estonia for 8.8%, with their combined share reaching 38.0% of total imports.

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

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