Alcoholic beer market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in Southern Asia showed initial growth until 2019, supported by untapped regional demand and the introduction of international craft beer styles, which broadened consumer appeal. This expansion was interrupted in 2020 when COVID-19 lockdowns and factory shutdowns caused a sharp contraction, reducing market volume by over 35%.

Recovery began in 2021 as major breweries expanded production capacity and distribution infrastructure opened access to new states. The market regained its pre-pandemic level by 2022, driven by strong premiumization trends and the entry of new players in the craft and non-alcoholic segments. By 2023, urbanization and rising disposable incomes pushed consumption to a record high.

State-level regulatory changes continuously influenced market access, while consumer preferences steadily shifted toward premium, craft, and health-conscious options. Sustainability and digital sales channels also became significant factors, alongside cost pressures from elevated grain prices affecting production.

Production alcoholic beer in Southern Asia

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 Southern Asia saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2019, production peaked at 2,827 million liters, but then dropped sharply by 35.4% to 1,828 million liters in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 33.6%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 12.8%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, at 1.8%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K l

Alcoholic beer exports from Southern Asia continued to grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 11,050 thousand liters, marking a 29.4% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 376.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 68.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for alcoholic beer in volume terms was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. Uganda accounted for 21.7% of exports, Sudan for 13.6%, and Qatar for 6.9%, together making up 42.2% of total flows. The remaining 57.8% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market for alcoholic beer exports in value terms experienced significant fluctuations during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 3,615 thousand US dollars, with a 15.0% decline that year. However, exports rebounded sharply in 2019, surging by 119.8%. By 2020, exports had risen to 9,002 thousand US dollars, a 13.3% increase from the previous year. Overall, export values varied by a factor of 2.5 between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for alcoholic beer exports from Southern Asia in value terms was quite diverse. Uganda contributed 19.4% of export value, Sudan 12.3%, and the United Arab Emirates 5.8%, together representing only 37.5% of total flows. The majority of exports were spread across numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K l

Alcoholic beer imports into Southern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports peaked at 8,880 thousand liters, with a 2.0% increase that year. By 2020, imports had fallen to 4,730 thousand liters, down 34.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 45.7%, averaging an 18.4% annual decline.

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

During 2017-2020, the import structure for alcoholic beer in volume terms was broad, with no single country dominating. Singapore accounted for 18.7% of imports, Belgium for 18.4%, and the Netherlands for 9.8%, together making up 47.0% of total flows. The remaining 53.0% came from a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Alcoholic beer imports into Southern Asia in value terms fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 5,354 thousand US dollars, a drop of 24.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 37.5%, with an average annual decline of 14.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner portfolio for alcoholic beer imports into Southern Asia in value terms was quite extensive. Singapore represented 21.4% of import value, Belgium 15.5%, and the Netherlands 10.8%, together accounting for only 47.8% of total flows. The rest was sourced from many other countries.

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

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