Alcoholic drinks in 2024: The big picture
Sales of alcoholic drinks in Australia saw only moderate growth in total volume terms in 2024. Sales continued to be impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, combined with an ongoing shift toward lower alcohol consumption and more responsible drinking habits, with these remaining key barriers to growth.
2024 key trends
Sales of RTDs saw a small decline in sales in total volume terms in 2024, with the category having seen a sales boom during the pandemic. Off-trade volume sales of RTDs declined as rising input costs and tighter household budgets resulted in fewer new product developments hitting the market.
Competitive landscape
Carlton & United Breweries Ltd was the leading company within alcoholic drinks overall in 2024. The company produces popular brands such as Carlton, Great Northern, Victoria Bitter and Corona Extra, among many others, with it having a particularly strong position in beer and cider/perry in 2024.
Retail developments
Food/drink/tobacco specialists remains the dominant distribution channel for alcoholic drinks in Australia, accounting for 82% of off-trade volume sales in 2024. However, this share declined slightly compared to the previous year, indicating a potential shift in consumer purchasing habits or the increasing diversification of retail channels.
On-trade vs off-trade split
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis prompted Australian consumers to reduce their social outings, leading to a notable drop in visits to pubs and restaurants in 2024. This resulted in on-trade volume sales of alcoholic drinks seeing slower growth in 2024 compared to the previous year.
What next for alcoholic drinks?
Sales of alcoholic drinks are expected to see moderate growth over the forecast period in total volume terms, reflecting the maturity of the market. Stronger growth is likely to be limited by market saturation, particularly within traditional categories like beer, wine, and spirits.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Alcoholic Drinks industry in Australia with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Beer
- Wine
- Spirits
- Cider and Perry
- RTDs
If you're in the Alcoholic Drinks industry in Australia, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty
The Alcoholic Drinks in Australia report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Alcoholic Drinks in Australia?
- Where is consumer demand for Alcoholic Drinks focussed?
- Which is being consumed more; beer, wine or spirits?
- Where is demand growing? Stagnating?
- How is the operating environment for alcoholic drinks changing?
- Which are the leading brands in Australia?
- How are products distributed in Australia?
- What are the key trends in new product development?
- Do consumers want value for money or added value?
- How will macroeconomic context and shifting cultural values shape future growth?
- How will COVID-19 and recession impact the alcoholic drinks industry?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Alcoholic Drinks in Australia
Alcoholic drinks in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retail developments
On-trade vs off-trade split
What next for alcoholic drinks?
Legislation
Legal purchasing age and legal drinking age
Drink driving
Advertising
Smoking ban
Opening hours
On-trade establishments
TAXATION AND DUTY LEVIES
Contraband/parallel trade
Duty free
Cross-border/private imports
KEY NEW PRODUCT LAUNCHES
DISCLAIMER
Beer in Australia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Craft beer facing hardship due to inflationary pressures
Asahi’s Carlton & United Breweries continues to evolve their offerings to remain the largest brand in Beer
On-trade sales of beer is showing signs of recovery
Non alcoholic beer set to gain ground as Australian drinking habits evolve
AI is set to be a pivotal tool for Australian breweries
Health and wellness trends likely to shape innovation in beer
Lager price band methodology
Cider/Perry in Australia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Cider/perry shows modest growth despite competition from RTDs increases
CUB holds the majority market share in Australian Cider and Perry
Physical stores are undergoing
A brighter outlook for cider/perry as players respond to chaning market demands
Locally produced cider presents potential growth opportunities
Growth expected in craft cider/perry and new non-alcoholic options
Rtds in Australia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sales of RTDs lose momentum as consumers face mounting financial pressures
Suntory strengthens its leadership with Asahi hot on its heels
Retail landscape evolving in line with shifting trends
Bright outlook for RTDs as players tap into evolving trends
Non alcoholic RTDs expected to gain momentum
Sustaining growth through inclusive and functional offerings
Spirits in Australia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Tequila (and mezcal) thriving
Diageo continues to lead but faces increasing competition
Food/drink/tobacco specialists continue to dominate sales of spirits
Increase in excise could put a dent in sales of spirits
Opportunities exist for low alcohol and non alcoholic spirits
Players expected to explore new ways to attract drinkers
Vodka, gin, other blended Scotch whisky, dark rum and white rum price band methodology
Wine in Australia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Adapting to the health and wellness trend is key if wine is to thrive
Surge in demand for spritz cocktails behind innovation in sparkling wine
Food/drink/tobacco specialists dominate sales but e-commerce picks up share
Innovation could be key to maintaining demand for wine
Opportunity for wine to be a drink of occasion with premium offerings
Technological advancements look to shape how wine is manufacturerd
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Alcoholic Drinks
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- Ale
- Sorghum
- Weissbier/Weizen/Wheat Beer
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- Flavoured/Mixed Lager
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- Domestic Premium Lager
- Imported Premium Lager
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- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
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- Domestic Economy Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
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- Domestic Premium Lager
- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Domestic Economy Lager
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- Imported Premium Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
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- Low Alcohol Beer
- Non Alcoholic Beer
- Stout
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- Regular Cider/Perry
- Non Alcoholic Cider/Perry
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- Malt-based RTDs
- Spirit-based RTDs
- Wine-based RTDs
- Other RTDs
- Non Alcoholic RTDs
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- Brandy
- Cognac
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- Bitters
- Cream-based Liqueurs
- Other Liqueurs
- Non Alcoholic Spirits
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- Prestige Dark Rum
- Ultra Premium Dark Rum
- Super Premium Dark Rum
- Premium Dark Rum
- Standard Dark Rum
- Economy Dark Rum
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- Prestige White Rum
- Ultra Premium White Rum
- Super Premium White Rum
- Premium White Rum
- Standard White Rum
- Economy White Rum
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- Tequila (and Mezcal)
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- Bourbon/Other US Whiskey
- Canadian Whisky
- Irish Whiskey
- Japanese Whisky
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- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
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- Prestige Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Ultra Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Super Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Standard Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Economy Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Single Grain Scotch Whisky
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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- Other Whiskies
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- Prestige English Gin
- Ultra Premium English Gin
- Super Premium English Gin
- Premium English Gin
- Standard English Gin
- Economy English Gin
- Dutch Gin
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- Prestige Vodka
- Ultra Premium Vodka
- Super Premium Vodka
- Premium Vodka
- Standard Vodka
- Economy Vodka
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- Absinthe
- Ad-Mix Brandy
- Ad-Mix Gin
- Ad-Mix Rum
- Ad-Mix Vodka
- Ad-Mix Whisky
- Aguardente/Aguardiente
- Aguardiente De Caña
- Akvavit/Aquavit
- Aniseed-Flavoured Spirits
- Borovicka
- Boukha
- Brandy Type Distilled Spirits
- Cachaça
- Calvados
- Cane
- Chacha
- Charanda
- Chinese Herbal Spirits
- Chinese Spirits
- Cut Brandy
- Destilados De Agave
- Distilled Fruit Spirits
- Domestic Brandy
- Domestic Rum
- Doppelkorn
- Economy Chinese Spirits
- Flavoured Spirits
- Flavoured Vodka-based Drinks
- Fynbos gin/Local Gin
- Gin-flavoured spirits
- Goldbrand/Goldkrone
- Grappa
- Grappamiel
- Guaro
- Kirsch
- Komovica
- Korn
- Lambanog
- Limoncello
- Local White Spirits
- Lower Mid-Range Chinese Spirits
- Lozovaca
- Maesilju
- Mahia Rabi Amrane
- Mead
- Mixed Spirits
- Nalivka/Nalewka
- Nastoyka
- National Specialities
- Obstbrände
- Ouzo
- Pacharán
- Palinca/Pálinka
- Pear and Apple Distillates
- Pisco
- Premium Chinese Spirits
- Prune
- Punsch
- Rachiu/Rakija
- Rum-Flavoured Spirits
- Samane
- Sambuca
- Samsu
- Schnapps
- Shochu/Soju
- Singani
- Sljivovica/Slivovice
- Steinhäeger
- Strong African Spirits
- Super Premium Chinese Spirits
- Sura Khao
- Tequila Flavoured Spirits
- Travarica
- Tsipouro
- Upper Mid-Range Chinese Spirits
- Vieux
- Viina
- Vodka Type Distilled Spirits
- Other Distilled Beverages
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- Port
- Sherry
- Vermouth
- Other Fortified Wine
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- Apple Wine
- Bokbunjaju
- Cheongju
- Chinese Wine
- Economy Rice Wine
- Fortified Fruit Wine
- Fruit and Berry Wine
- Fruit and Herbal Wine
- Fruit and Honey based Wine
- Fruit Wine
- Lower Mid-Range Rice Wine
- Non-Grape Dessert Wine
- Premium Rice Wine
- Sake
- Takju
- Upper Mid-Range Rice Wine
- Yakju
- Yellow Wine
- Other Non-Grape Wine
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- Champagne
- Other Sparkling Wine
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- Still Red Wine
- Still Rosé Wine
- Still White Wine
- Non Alcoholic Wine
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Alcoholic Drinks
Alcoholic drinks is the aggregation of beer, wine, spirits, cider/perry and RTDs.
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This report originates from Passport, our Alcoholic Drinks research and analysis database.
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