Alcoholic beer market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Sri Lankan alcoholic beer market volume experienced substantial volatility, ending the period at 193.2 million liters, a 33% increase from the 145.2 million liters recorded in 2018. The overall growth was driven primarily by a sharp expansion in domestic production, which rose from 146.5 million liters to 210.0 million liters over the same span.

The market saw a slight uptick in 2019, reaching 147.6 million liters, before entering a two-year contraction that brought volume down to 111.6 million liters by 2021. This decline mirrored a drop in production, which fell from 155.0 million liters in 2019 to 126.0 million liters in 2021.

A strong recovery began in 2022, with market volume climbing to 115.5 million liters. The trend accelerated dramatically in 2023, when production surged by over 60% to 210.0 million liters, lifting the market volume to 193.2 million liters – its highest level in the observed period.

Production alcoholic beer in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Sri Lanka's alcoholic beer production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 155.0 million liters, marking a 5.8% increase. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 130.0 million liters, representing a 16.1% year-on-year contraction. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Alcoholic beer production in Sri Lanka declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 97.9 million US dollars, marking a 17.2% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 20.5%, which equates to an annualized rate of 7.4%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, K l

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 2 806 thousand liters, with a 32.4% decline. The following year, 2019, saw the largest increase at 186.3%. By 2020, cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer from Sri Lanka amounted to 9 719 thousand liters, marking a 21.0% increase compared to the previous year. Import levels varied significantly, with a 3.5-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda, Sudan, and the Maldives were the main markets for Sri Lanka's alcoholic beer exports in kind. Uganda accounted for 28.9% of exports, Sudan for 18.1%, and the Maldives for 16.7%. Together, these three countries represented 63.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 2 339 thousand US dollars, with a 34.3% decline. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 161.9%. By 2020, alcoholic beer exports from Sri Lanka came to 7 318 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 19.5% increase relative to the prior year. There was a 3.1-fold gap between the trough in 2018 and the peak in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda, Sudan, and the Maldives remained the principal buyers of alcoholic beer from Sri Lanka in value terms. Uganda accounted for 24.9% of exports, Sudan for 15.7%, and the Maldives for 13.5%. Jointly, these three countries accounted for 54.2% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, K l

Alcoholic beer imports into Sri Lanka declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Sri Lanka imported 582 thousand liters of alcoholic beer, showing an 8.8% drop compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 70.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 33.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Singapore were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of alcoholic beer imports into Sri Lanka in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 35.8% of imports, Mexico for 30.1%, and Singapore for 13.9%. Together, these three countries had a combined share of 79.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Alcoholic beer imports into Sri Lanka declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 763 thousand US dollars, which is 17.0% weaker than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 68.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 32.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Singapore remained the key partners in Sri Lanka's alcoholic beer imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 33.6% of imports, Mexico for 26.0%, and Singapore for 16.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 76.2% of total import flows.

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

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