Alcoholic beer market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for alcoholic beer in Slovenia expanded significantly from 124.4 million liters in 2018 to 222.5 million liters in 2023. The initial growth was supported in 2018 by Pivovarna Laško's rebranding of its leading Zlatorog label, which aimed to strengthen its domestic position and prepare for EU market entry, influencing consumer preferences and competitive dynamics.

Following a contraction to 156.8 million liters in 2020, the market recovered and grew consistently, reaching 196.5 million liters in 2022 and 222.5 million liters in 2023. This upward trajectory occurred alongside substantial export volumes, which peaked at 109.2 million liters in 2021 before moderating.

By 2024, broader industry trends toward health-consciousness and moderate alcohol consumption gained prominence, driving increased interest in non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beer segments. Major players like Heineken reported double-digit sales growth for non-alcoholic products in Slovenia, while local breweries such as Pelicon introduced new low-alcohol offerings like Relax (2.8% ABV), reflecting evolving consumer habits and product innovation within the beer market.

Production alcoholic beer in Slovenia

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Slovenia's alcoholic beer production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production reached 196 million liters, down 3.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 38.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 202 million liters, which also saw the largest annual increase of 41.4%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Slovenia

Exports in kind, K l

Alcoholic beer exports from Slovenia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Slovenia exported 90 057 thousand liters, up 15.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 46.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Croatia, Italy, and Serbia—remained central to Slovenia's alcoholic beer exports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 76.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign alcoholic beer supplies from Slovenia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value totaled 50 924 thousand US dollars, representing a 21.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 57.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia (29.0% of export value), Italy (21.7% of export value), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (21.5% of export value) formed the core of Slovenia's alcoholic beer exports in value terms, together accounting for 72.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Slovenia

Imports in kind, K l

Alcoholic beer imports to Slovenia increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, imports reached 50 824 thousand liters, reflecting a slight rise of 1.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13%, with an average annual decline of 4.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 50 318 thousand liters, which also saw the largest annual decline of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Austria (45.6% of import volume), Croatia (15.5% of import volume), and Italy (10.3% of import volume) were the main sources for alcoholic beer imports to Slovenia in volume terms, with a combined share of 71.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer to Slovenia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 29 886 thousand US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 1.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 10.6%, with an average annual decline of 3.7%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 33 711 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 0.9%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria (39.3% of import value), Croatia (19.4% of import value), and Czechia (9.5% of import value) were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of alcoholic beer imports to Slovenia in value terms, with a combined share of 68.1% of total flows.

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

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