Ethyl alcohol market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The ethyl alcohol market in New Zealand showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. It reached 39.1 million litres in 2018, a year that saw a 21% increase in the volume of high-strength beer available, indicating a broader consumer trend towards stronger alcoholic beverages. The market then contracted sharply to 25.4 million litres in 2019, primarily due to a fall in domestic production, before recovering to 31.2 million litres in 2020 driven by a significant rise in imports.

A second decline occurred in 2021, with the market falling to 25.8 million litres. This period coincided with industry self-regulation that established a maximum alcohol strength of 7% for ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, a move that likely reduced the demand for ethyl alcohol in this product segment. The market rebounded to 33.3 million litres in 2022, supported in part by stabilized import prices which encouraged import volumes, and saw further moderate growth to 34.0 million litres in 2023.

Trends in 2024 and 2025 pointed to evolving market conditions, with consumer preferences shifting towards more affordable alcoholic drinks and casual consumption occasions, while overall alcohol available for consumption entered a period of decline, creating a challenging environment for ethyl alcohol demand.

Production ethyl alcohol in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K l

Top producers of ethyl alcohol, 2018-2021

World map of production of ethyl alcohol, 2018-2021

In 2021, New Zealand produced 19 279 thousand liters of ethyl alcohol, marking a significant 16.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 47.9%, with an average annual decline of 19.5%. The largest drop occurred in 2019, at 37.7%, while the only increase was recorded in 2020, at 0.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K l

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the value of ethyl alcohol production in New Zealand was 16 947 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 20.4% year-over-year decline. Between 2018 and 2021, production value decreased by 42%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.6%. The most substantial decrease was in 2019, at 33.2%, whereas the largest increase was in 2020, at 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports ethyl alcohol from New Zealand

Exports in kind, K l

The market exhibited high volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 8 thousand liters and their highest in 2018, with a 21-fold difference between these extremes. In 2021, New Zealand's ethyl alcohol export volume was 64 thousand liters, a sharp 60.1% drop from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 95.2%, while the most significant increase was in 2020, at 1,959.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K l

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for New Zealand's ethyl alcohol exports in volume terms were Tonga, accounting for 66.4% of exports, Samoa at 13.2%, and French Polynesia at 9.5%. Together, these three destinations made up 89.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms hit a low in 2019 at 7 thousand US dollars and a peak in 2020 at 148 thousand US dollars, with a 22-fold swing between these years. In 2021, ethyl alcohol exports from New Zealand amounted to 56 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sudden 61.9% year-over-year decline. The largest decrease was in 2019, at 94.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2020, at 2,141.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, the key destinations for New Zealand's ethyl alcohol exports in value terms were Tonga, with 61.9% of exports, Samoa at 12.3%, and French Polynesia at 10.5%. Combined, these markets represented 84.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports ethyl alcohol to New Zealand

Imports in kind, K l

The market displayed considerable volatility over these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2021, ethyl alcohol imports into New Zealand stood at 6 600 thousand liters, representing a significant 20.2% drop year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 8 271 thousand liters, with the largest increase occurring that year at 244.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K l

From 2018 to 2021, the primary suppliers of ethyl alcohol to New Zealand in volume terms were Australia, accounting for 53.0% of imports, South Korea at 22.1%, and Pakistan at 9.0%. Together, these three countries supplied 84.2% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. Import values fell to a trough in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.1-fold ratio between these extremes. In 2021, ethyl alcohol shipments to New Zealand from abroad amounted to 6 259 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 20.0% decline compared to 2020. The maximum value was in 2020 at 7 822 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 295.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over 2018–2021, the main suppliers of ethyl alcohol to New Zealand in value terms were Australia, with 53.4% of imports, South Korea at 21.6%, and Pakistan at 8.6%. Collectively, these three sources accounted for 83.5% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021