Alcoholic beer market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Poland's alcoholic beer market declined from 3 734 million liters in 2018 to 3 331 million liters in 2023. This contraction was primarily driven by a sustained shift in consumer preferences towards non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beer, ignited by the so-called 'Zero-Zero revolution' starting in 2018. Concurrently, repeated increases in excise tax, beginning with a hike in 2018 and followed by scheduled annual rises through 2027, raised production costs and final prices, dampening overall demand for alcoholic beer.

The market faced additional external pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which led to the closure of hospitality venues (HoReCa) and a sharp drop in sales volume. Regulatory headwinds intensified in subsequent years, including the adoption of a law in 2023 banning alcohol sales after 10 PM and ongoing parliamentary debates about a future ban on beer advertising, further constraining market activity.

Despite the overall market decline, the period saw dynamic activity within specific segments. The non-alcoholic beer category recorded double-digit growth annually, attracting new producers and expanding its share. Furthermore, new craft breweries like Sprau entered the market, introducing innovative 'non-beer' products such as hard ice tea and kombucha, which diversified the beverage landscape but did not offset the downward trend in traditional alcoholic beer consumption.

Production alcoholic beer in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Poland, the output value of alcoholic beer reached 2 251 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 282 million US dollars. In 2019, production experienced its largest decline of 4.7%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with a 9.9% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Globally, Poland ranked as the 9th largest producer of alcoholic beer from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Poland's alcoholic beer production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 795 million liters, a decrease of 3.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production fell by 4.4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.5%. The peak production was in 2018 with 4 030 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 1.5% during this period.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Poland

Exports in kind, M l

Alcoholic beer exports from Poland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 404.6 million liters, representing a 6.1% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 24.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, alcoholic beer exports in volume were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 14.0% of exports, Italy for 11.1%, and the Netherlands for 11.1%, with these three countries together making up 36.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign alcoholic beer supplies from Poland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 239.1 million US dollars, showing a strong rise of 15.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 55.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.8%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that alcoholic beer exports from Poland in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. The Netherlands accounted for 13.2% of exports, Germany for 10.6%, and Italy for 10.1%, with these three countries jointly representing 33.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Poland

Imports in kind, M l

Poland's volume of alcoholic beer imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 105.9 million liters, a 12.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 20.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 78.5 million liters, which also saw the largest decline of 10.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 20.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia was the principal supplier of alcoholic beer to Poland, accounting for 38.1% of imports in volume, followed by Germany at 25.1% and the Netherlands at 6.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 70.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Alcoholic beer imports into Poland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 77.7 million US dollars, up by 5.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 22%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for alcoholic beer imports into Poland in value terms were Czechia, Germany, and Mexico, which together accounted for 68.6% of total import flows.

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

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