Alcoholic beer market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in Western Asia expanded from 1 560 million liters in 2018 to nearly 2 000 million liters by 2023, though not without volatility. Initial growth was supported by rising consumer interest in craft beer and low-alcohol variants, which spurred innovation and new product development. However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the market in 2020, leading to a sharp contraction in volume to 1 410 million liters as on-trade channels faced restrictions.

Recovery commenced in 2021, with market volume rebounding to 1 668 million liters. This turnaround was accelerated by the strategic launch of new low-alcohol carbonated beverages, such as Asahi Breweries' 0.5% ABV offering, which catered to evolving preferences for lighter drinks. The growth momentum continued through 2022 and 2023, with the market reaching 1 844 million and 1 967 million liters respectively. This sustained expansion was primarily fueled by rising household incomes and rapid urbanization across the region, which boosted overall consumption despite emerging headwinds like increased taxation on alcoholic beverages in several countries.

Regulatory pressures intensified in 2024 with the introduction of a specific local consumption tax in Morocco—set at 30 000 dirhams per hectoliter on alcohol for distillation or in spirits—which elevated prices for beer and other alcoholic drinks. Concurrently, regional supply chain disruptions and energy cost fluctuations presented additional challenges, while consumer preference for low-alcohol products remained a defining trend.

Production alcoholic beer in Western 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 Western Asia fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 219 million liters, marking a 4.6% decrease from the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 1 296 million liters, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.4%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Western Asia

Exports in kind, M l

Alcoholic beer exports from Western Asia rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 85.3 million liters, a significant 63.7% jump compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 124.2%, growing at an average annual rate of 30.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, alcoholic beer exports from Western Asia were distributed across numerous countries. China accounted for 6.5% of export volumes, Hong Kong for 4.7%, and the United Kingdom for 4.0%, with these three markets together making up just 15.2% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of alcoholic beer exports from Western Asia increased for the third straight year. In 2020, exports reached 88.4 million US dollars, up 9.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 31.9%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Asia traded alcoholic beer with many countries, and even the top destinations—China, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan—collectively represented only 16.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Western Asia

Imports in kind, M l

In 2020, Western Asia imported 276.0 million liters of alcoholic beer, a 19.9% drop from the previous year. Imports peaked in 2019 at 344.7 million liters, which also recorded the largest annual increase of 12.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 14.6%, declining at an average annual rate of 5.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands was the largest supplier of alcoholic beer to Western Asia, accounting for 19.3% of import volumes, followed by Mexico at 9.0% and Germany at 7.9%. Together, these three countries made up 36.3% of total imports, with many smaller partners contributing the rest.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign alcoholic beer supplies to Western Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 265.7 million US dollars, down 14.0% from 2019. The peak was in 2018 at 322.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 13.0%. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 6.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, alcoholic beer imports to Western Asia in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 18.5% of import value, Mexico for 10.4%, and Belgium for 8.8%, with these three countries together representing 37.7% of total imports.

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

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