Retail volume sales of alcoholic drinks recorded strong growth in 2024 with local consumers embracing alcoholic drinks to a greater degree than their international counterparts. Many international industry players have branches in Bangladesh. Despite the high growth, the industry has been hampered by high inflation, government change and political unrest. Product availability has also been challenging due to import difficulties and customs issues. The government has also been active in illegal trading protection. Price imbalance is visible in the country with different traders retailing similar products at different prices. Major distribution channels for alcoholic drinks are the on-trade, including social clubs (eg Gulshan club and Dhaka Club), bars and hotels.
Total volume sales of alcoholic drinks rose across all categories in 2024. However, while demand is on the rise, challenges remain around pricing and product availability. Young adults are more interested in beer and spirits while demand for local beer is high as prices are low, although foreign consumers generally prefer international brands. In spirits, whiskies and brandy sales performed better than those of other spirits. As Bangladesh is a Muslim country, alcohol is not socially accepted and it is not permitted to drink openly. However, ongoing industrialisation and urbanisation and a general opening up to Western cultural trends have resulted in a gradual change in social attitudes, especially among younger adults. The alcoholic drinks market has expanded to new areas and new consumers are coming to appreciate these products, much of which has been stimulated by a growing number of immigrants to the country and an increase in the number of businesses supplying alcoholic drinks at office parties.
Despite the ban on alcohol consumption for the Muslim majority, beer remained the type of alcoholic drink available to most Bangladeshis and was therefore the largest category in 2024. Demand and availability have been supported by more liberal government policies, less strict law enforcement, economic stability among more affluent younger people and the spread of Western cultural trends throughout the country. While lower-income consumers traditionally drank local-made (Bangla mod) alcohol, they have gradually switched to beer, with demand rising most strongly among younger adults.
Crown Beverages is the outright leading player in alcoholic drinks in Bangladesh and is present with its Hunter brand in beer. Crown Beverages is the country’s sole brewer and has considerable scope to increase production to meet rising demand. Its competitive pricing compared to its imported counterparts has propelled its popularity among consumers. Moreover, the easy accessibility of Hunter has contributed to its widespread adoption, with many locals treating beer as casually as soft drinks, integrating it into their daily routines. Imported premium lager is also benefiting from growing demand, with bonded warehouses and on-trade outlets looking to offer a widening range of beer in response.
Consumers continue to buy alcohol from bonded warehouses, bars, clubs and hotels. Bars and clubs are most popular among local consumers, while a bonded warehouse is the only option for foreign passport holders. Retail e-commerce alcoholic drinks sales are not permitted due to government restrictions.
Off-trade sales of alcoholic drinks account for the vast majority of total volume sales of alcoholic drinks in the country. However, the retail distribution of alcoholic drinks is also hindered by heavy restrictions and the limited number of on-trade and off-trade outlets. Similarly, only a very small number of off-trade outlets are licensed to sell domestic traditional spirits (known as “country spirits”), typically targeting indigenous tribes people. The number of off-trade outlets licensed to sell foreign spirits is even more limited, with such stores being located in urban areas and intended for foreign nationals.
Volume sales of alcoholic drinks are set to rise over the forecast period. Despite the fact that the constitution does not permit open alcohol sales, numerous association clubs are likely to continue springing up in various areas, serving alcohol to their members. The market will therefore benefit from a gradual shift away from traditional religious norms and values. Growth will also be supported by the rising number of sales centres and the increased availability of alcoholic drinks. Contributions from the administration and policymakers will also facilitate this expansion.
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Alcoholic Drinks
Alcoholic drinks is the aggregation of beer, wine, spirits, cider/perry and RTDs.
See all of our definitionsThis report originates from Passport, our Alcoholic Drinks research and analysis database.
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