Alcoholic beer market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the South American alcoholic beer market expanded and then stabilized. The initial growth in 2018 and 2019 was driven by rising consumer demand for craft and premium beers, along with the expansion of microbreweries and the entry of new players. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to temporary closures of bars and restaurants, but the market remained stable as consumption shifted to homes and demand increased for non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beer varieties.

After 2020, the market continued to grow. The recovery accelerated in 2021 with the reopening of bars and social events, supported by investments from major companies in new production facilities. In 2022 and 2023, sustained growth was fueled by the premiumization trend, flavor and format innovations, and further investments in sustainable brewery infrastructure.

Production alcoholic beer in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

South America's alcoholic beer production saw two years of growth before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 25 543 million liters. However, in 2020, output fell slightly to 25 313 million liters, representing a 0.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 14.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 8.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's alcoholic beer production experienced two years of gains before a downturn. In 2019, production value peaked at 27 662 million US dollars. By 2020, the value had dropped to 22 618 million US dollars, marking a substantial decline of 18.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall production value increased by 11.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.7%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, with an 18.4% rise.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from South America

Exports in kind, M l

South America's alcoholic beer exports increased after two years of reduction. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 118.9 million liters. However, in 2020, exports rebounded to 146.7 million liters, showing a 23.3% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall exports decreased by 16.6%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 5.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 31.2% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Curaçao were the primary markets for South America's alcoholic beer exports in volume terms, together accounting for 1.9% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

South America's alcoholic beer exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, export value reached its lowest point at 123.1 million US dollars. By 2020, exports had risen to 131.1 million US dollars, reflecting a 1.8% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall export value decreased by 18.6%, averaging an annual decline of 6.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a 23.5% drop, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a 4.7% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (1.8% of export value), Spain (0.7% of export value), and Curaçao (0.6% of export value) were the main destinations for South America's alcoholic beer exports in value terms, collectively representing 3.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to South America

Imports in kind, M l

South America's alcoholic beer imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports peaked at 657.9 million liters. By 2020, imports had fallen to 457.2 million liters, marking a 22.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall imports decreased by 22.3%, which equates to an average annual decline of 8.1%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, with an 11.9% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Mexico (27.3% of import volume), the United States (19.1% of import volume), and Germany (6.8% of import volume) formed the core of South America's alcoholic beer imports in volume terms, together accounting for 53.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

South America's alcoholic beer imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, import value reached its highest point at 622.6 million US dollars. By 2020, imports had dropped to 452.3 million US dollars, showing a substantial decline of 24.7% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, overall import value decreased by 21.2%, averaging an annual decline of 7.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with an 8.5% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico (31.2% of import value), the United States (19.9% of import value), and the Netherlands (7.6% of import value) led the structure of South America's alcoholic beer imports in value terms, collectively representing 58.7% of total flows.

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

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