Alcoholic beer market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. alcoholic beer market began the period at a high of 24 933 million liters in 2018, supported by favorable macroeconomic conditions and growing consumer interest in craft and premium offerings. Volume stabilized near 24 800 million liters in 2019 as the industry saw continued innovation in production techniques like barrel aging and a focus on environmental sustainability. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and altered consumption patterns in 2020, leading to a market contraction to 24 263 million liters despite a rise in direct-to-consumer sales and growing demand for non-alcoholic beers.

A post-pandemic recovery lifted the market to 24 624 million liters in 2021. This rebound was driven by persistent consumer trends towards health and moderation, which fueled innovation in low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beer varieties, alongside the increased use of convenient packaging like cans. Growth continued into 2022, with volume reaching 24 801 million liters, bolstered by the consolidation of the ready-to-drink (RTD) trend and significant expansion within the non-alcoholic beer segment.

In 2023, the market experienced a pronounced decline of 4%, falling to 23 789 million liters. This drop was primarily attributed to a shift in consumer preferences, particularly among younger demographics, who increasingly opted for spirits, RTD cocktails, and non-alcoholic alternatives over traditional beer. Concurrently, the industry saw heightened focus on sustainable production and labeling transparency.

Production alcoholic beer in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was one of the world's top producers of alcoholic beer, ranking second globally by production volume.

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Alcoholic beer production in the United States declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 20,381 million liters, down 3.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 6.7%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports alcoholic beer from the United States

Exports in kind, M l

The volume of alcoholic beer exports from the United States dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 387 million liters, marking a sharp decline of 29.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 43.8%, with an average annual drop of 17.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 698 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 1.4% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico, Chile, and Canada were the top contributors to U.S. alcoholic beer exports by volume. Mexico accounted for 25.5% of exports, Chile for 16.6%, and Canada for 12.0%, together making up 54.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, alcoholic beer exports from the United States were valued at 646 million U.S. dollars, a decrease of 19.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 5.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 806 million U.S. dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 19.8% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States had a diverse range of buyers for its alcoholic beer exports in value terms. Chile accounted for 17.6% of exports, Canada for 16.1%, and Mexico for 13.6%, together contributing 47.3% of total export value. Many other countries held smaller but significant shares.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports alcoholic beer to the United States

Imports in kind, M l

Alcoholic beer imports into the United States increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 4,269 million liters, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 5.7%, with an average annual increase of 1.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico was the dominant source for alcoholic beer imports into the United States by volume, accounting for 70.0% of total flows. The remaining share was spread across several smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of alcoholic beer imports into the United States rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 5,977 million U.S. dollars, up 2.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Mexico and the Netherlands—played leading roles in U.S. alcoholic beer imports by value, together accounting for 82.1% of total flows. The rest was distributed among other destinations.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020