Alcoholic beer market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Swedish alcoholic beer market volume remained relatively stable, ranging from 550.5 to 569.9 million liters. This period saw health trends significantly boost non-alcoholic beer sales, while craft beer nearly doubled in popularity with darker styles like stout and porter gaining ground. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted consumption to homes, increasing demand for premium beers and driving online sales of non-alcoholic beer up by over 350%.

The market contracted sharply to 485.3 million liters in 2021 as non-alcoholic beer overtook light beer in retail sales volume, reflecting a consumer shift toward lower-alcohol options supported by brewing innovations. Carlsberg Sverige reported record non-alcoholic beer sales exceeding nine million liters in retail that year. In 2022 and 2023, the alcoholic beer market stabilized around 490 million liters while the overall brewing industry grew by 6% in sales volume, with non-alcoholic beer accounting for 5% of total sales and continued growth fueled by health awareness and trends like dry January.

A key regulatory change took effect in 2024, allowing strong beer up to 8% alcohol to be sold in grocery stores, altering market access. Swedish beer maintained an 80% share of Systembolaget's sales, and non-alcoholic beer surpassed traditional folk beer in sales volume, reinforcing the long-term shift toward lower-alcohol beverages.

Production alcoholic beer in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Sweden's alcoholic beer production was valued at 408.4 million US dollars, marking a 3.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 426.5 million US dollars, which saw an 8.1% increase. In 2019, production experienced its largest decline of 7.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Sweden's alcoholic beer production volume declined. In 2020, 485.4 million liters were produced, representing a moderate year-on-year decrease of 4.6%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 509.1 million liters, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 5.2%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Sweden

Exports in kind, M l

In 2020, Sweden's cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer totaled 41.1 million liters, a 41.6% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 38.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 15.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 70.4 million liters, which also saw a 6.0% increase that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Denmark, and the United Kingdom formed the main cluster of markets for Sweden's alcoholic beer exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 57.0% of exports, Denmark for 17.8%, and the United Kingdom for 6.8%, together representing 81.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sweden's alcoholic beer export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 33.4 million US dollars, down 37.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 41.9%, with an annualized rate of decline of 16.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Denmark, and Norway continued to lead as the top buyers of Swedish alcoholic beer in value terms. Germany accounted for 52.9% of exports, Denmark for 13.4%, and Norway for 8.0%, jointly representing 74.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Sweden

Imports in kind, M l

In 2020, Sweden's alcoholic beer imports totaled 113.0 million liters, showing a slight gain of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 3.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 131.9 million liters, which saw a 21.1% increase. In 2019, imports experienced their largest decline of 15.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden imported alcoholic beer from many countries, with even the largest destinations—Denmark, Czechia, and Germany—together accounting for only 49.4% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Sweden imported alcoholic beer valued at 139.7 million US dollars, up 1.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 139.7 million US dollars, which saw an 8.2% increase. In 2019, imports experienced their largest decline of 4.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Sweden's alcoholic beer imports in value terms was highly diversified. The United States accounted for 16.6% of imports, Czechia for 15.1%, and Belgium for 10.7%, together representing only 42.4% of total import flows. The remaining 57.6% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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