Alcoholic beer market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish alcoholic beer market volume grew from 8 277 million liters in 2018 to 8 629 million liters in 2019, a period marked by the sustained rise of low- and non-alcoholic beer as consumers increasingly sought moderation and healthier alternatives. This expansion was interrupted in 2020 when the market contracted to 7 532 million liters.

Recovery began in 2021, lifting volume to 7 805 million liters, followed by a strong surge to 9 004 million liters in 2022. This peak coincided with significant market diversification, where major brewers like Mahou San Miguel and Heineken España expanded their portfolios, and the growing craft beer segment alongside non-alcoholic options attracted broader consumption.

Market volume then eased to 8 913 million liters in 2023, reflecting a documented decline in per-capita beer consumption even as demand for non-alcoholic beer grew. The moderation trend continued into 2024, with overall beer volume declining further as non-alcoholic varieties captured a 14% share of total consumption, partly offsetting the drop in alcoholic beer sales.

Production alcoholic beer in Southern Europe

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 Europe declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 8 033 million liters, but then fell to 7 041 million liters in 2020, marking a 12.4% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production dropped by 4.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.4%. The most significant increase during this timeframe occurred in 2018, with a rise of 5.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Alcoholic beer production in Southern Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 767 million US dollars, down 8.9% from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 10%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, M l

Exports of alcoholic beer from Southern Europe increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume reached 907 million liters, up 3.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, China, and France were notable buyers of alcoholic beer from Southern Europe, but they did not dominate the market. The United Kingdom accounted for 17.5% of exports in volume, China for 7.7%, and France for 4.1%. Together, these three countries made up only 29.3% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe's alcoholic beer exports were valued at 872 million US dollars, a 7.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 10.6%, while the largest decline was in 2019, at 0.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for Southern Europe's alcoholic beer exports in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 15.1% of export value, China for 11.7%, and France for 6.4%. Combined, these three countries represented only 33.2% of total export value, with many smaller partners holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, M l

In 2020, alcoholic beer imports into Southern Europe totaled 1 399 million liters, a 5.2% decrease from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 396 million liters, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 476 million liters. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 5.8%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that imports of alcoholic beer into Southern Europe were not heavily concentrated on a few key sources. Belgium accounted for 18.2% of imports in volume, Germany for 15.3%, and France for 11.6%. Together, these three countries made up only 45.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of alcoholic beer imports into Southern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 1 334 million US dollars, down 8.2% from 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 1 334 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 8.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of alcoholic beer into Southern Europe in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Belgium accounted for 20.9% of import value, Germany for 18.0%, and France for 8.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented just 47.5% of total import flows.

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

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