In this article, we are going to discuss the top 5 beer exporting countries in the world. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the global beer market, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the global beer industry, and the resurgence of Guinness dry stout, head to Top 20 Beer Exporting Countries in the World.
5. United States
Total Beer Exports in 2021: $722.20 million
Small and independent American craft brewers are recognized as leaders in innovation and quality in what has become a global craft beer revolution. Funded by grants from the United States Department of Agriculture, the Brewers Association Export Development Program works to assist quality focused U.S. brewers in identifying opportunities for international expansion and media promotion of American craft beer, as well as educating international trade about proper storage and handling to preserve beer flavor during distribution.
America’s beer sector has been flourishing for a few decades now and there were 9,709 breweries operating in the country in 2022 – the highest figures ever in history. However, despite a booming local beer industry, the U.S. is still the country that imports the most beer.
4. Germany
Total Beer Exports in 2021: $1.4 billion
Beer is so integral to German culture that the country even came up with its own purity law as far back as 500 years ago. In 2021, approximately 7.65 million hectoliters of beer were exported from Germany to countries within the European Union, and a further 8.1 million hectoliters to countries outside the E.U.
Russia has emerged as a big market for German beer this year, and never before have German breweries sold as much beer to Russia in the months of January to March as in 2023. With this year’s result for Q1, Russia has consolidated its second place among the top destinations for German beer, behind Italy and now well ahead of China. With over 5,000 registered brands, Germany is the country that has the most beer brands.
Known for its fantastic brews around the world, Germany is the largest beer producing country in Europe.
3. Belgium
Total Beer Exports in 2021: $1.96 billion
While Belgium contributes just around 1% of global beer production, it brews 10 times more per head than the global average and is one of the biggest beer producing countries per capita. One of the Highest Rated Pilsner Beers in the world is Stella Artois, which is also a major export brand for Belgium. However, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) announced in 2021 that it would shift production of the signature Belgian brand from Europe to four of its U.S. breweries, including its St. Louis flagship, which would produce the beverage for domestic consumers.
2. Netherlands
Total Beer Exports in 2021: $2.17 billion
Not only is beer the most popular alcoholic drink in the Netherlands, but it is also one of the country’s biggest export products, as famous Dutch beer brands are sold all over the world. The Netherlands remains the biggest beer exporter in Europe and in 2021, Dutch brewers produced 1.86 billion liters of beer for foreign markets.
The country’s most popular brew, Heineken, is the most exported beer brand in the world.
1. Mexico
Total Beer Exports in 2021: $5.02 billion
Mexico is the country that exports the most beer in the world. The country ships out twice as much beer as any other country and single-handedly accounts for 30.3% of the world’s entire export-beer market, meaning that 3 out of 10 beers exported globally are produced in Mexico. The U.S. was the largest export destination for Mexican beers, accounting for 96.2% of the country’s total exports in 2021. Mexico produces some of the best beers in the world, like Modelo Especial and Corona Extra.
The most prominent brewing companies in Mexico are Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD), Heineken N.V., and Constellations Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ). Specifically, the latter has quadrupled its production capacity in the country from 2013 to date, investing more than $5.6 billion in Mexico’s brewing projects.
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