Alcoholic beer market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in Western Europe reached 13 263 million liters in 2018, then grew by 10% to 14 617 million liters in 2019. This expansion was primarily driven by the entry of new craft breweries and changing consumer preferences towards innovative flavors and premium products, supported by a megatrend for regional and artisanal beers.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a 12% drop in market volume to 12 898 million liters, as restaurant closures shifted consumption to retail channels and heightened health awareness boosted interest in non-alcoholic alternatives. A partial recovery followed in 2021, with a 4% increase to 13 379 million liters, while major players like Heineken expanded their non-alcoholic beer portfolios, reflecting the ongoing health and lifestyle trend.

Market volume then stabilized at 13 137 million liters in 2022, edging down by less than 2%, as continued growth in the non-alcoholic segment and new low-alcohol craft beer launches influenced consumption patterns. In 2023, the market contracted by 7% to 12 277 million liters, fueled by the trend toward alcohol moderation, economic pressure that heightened focus on price-value ratio, and the dominance of large breweries such as Radeberger while smaller ones lost market share.

Production alcoholic beer in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Europe produced 15 461 million liters of alcoholic beer, representing a 6.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 6.3%, with an average annual decrease of 2.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 16 532 million liters, which saw a 1.6% increase from the prior year.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Western Europe

Exports in kind, M l

In 2020, cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer from Western Europe reached 4 178 million liters, marking a significant year-over-year decline of 24.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 22.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.0%. The peak export volume occurred in 2019 at 5 520 million liters, which experienced a substantial 28.8% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for alcoholic beer from Western Europe was diverse. The United States accounted for 14.1% of exports in volume, Italy for 8.7%, and China for 5.2%, collectively contributing only 27.9% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares, indicating a broad distribution.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Alcoholic beer exports from Western Europe increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 5 866 million US dollars, a 1.4% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 9.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, Italy, and China were key buyers of alcoholic beer from Western Europe in value terms, with shares of 21.0%, 8.2%, and 5.5%, respectively. However, their combined share amounted to only 34.7% of total exports, while the remaining 65.3% was distributed among numerous other partners.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Western Europe

Imports in kind, M l

The market exhibited volatility during these years. In 2020, alcoholic beer imports into Western Europe totaled 1 614 million liters, a sharp 55.2% year-over-year decline. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 276 million liters, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 3 604 million liters, representing a 182.5% increase from 2018. Overall, import volumes varied 2.8 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of alcoholic beer into Western Europe were relatively evenly distributed. Denmark accounted for 8.9% of imports in volume, Czechia for 4.4%, and the United Kingdom for 2.6%, together making up only 15.9% of total flows, with the rest spread across many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, alcoholic beer imports into Western Europe declined in 2020, totaling 2 435 million US dollars, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 13.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 2 446 million US dollars, following an 11.2% increase in 2018.

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

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 highlights a diversified set of partners. Denmark contributed 8.7% of imports in value, Czechia 3.6%, and the United Kingdom 3.2%, jointly accounting for only 15.5% of total flows. The remaining 84.5% was dispersed among many smaller markets.

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

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