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.
Alcoholic drinks in 2024: The big picture
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.
2024 key trends
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.
Competitive landscape
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.
Retail developments
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.
On-trade vs off-trade split
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.
What next for alcoholic drinks?
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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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Alcoholic Drinks industry in Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh, 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 Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh?
- 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 Bangladesh?
- How are products distributed in Bangladesh?
- 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 Bangladesh
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
Operating Environment
Contraband/parallel trade
Duty free
Cross-border/private imports
DISCLAIMER
Key Data Findings
2024 Developments
Ongoing strong growth of beer sales, although demand continues to be suppressed by traditional and religious norms
Crown Beverages retains its outright lead, present with its popular Hunter brand
The off-trade remains the outright leading channel for sales of beer
Prospects and Opportunities
Beer continues to grow in popularity over the forecast period
Growing consumer base in the form of foreign business people, tourists and locals, though Muslim laws limit potential
Limited brand presence of imports benefit local brand Hunter
Category Data
Key Data Findings
2024 Developments
Wine sales grow from a low base as the category attracts new cosumers
Heavily fragmented competitive landsacpe due to inconsistency in supply
Availability of wine growing through legal alcohol traders, the operations of which are expanding
Prospects and Opportunities
Wine sales benefit from economic development, rising numbers of foreigners in the country and less strict enforcement of non-drinking regulations among Muslims
Uncertainty continues around the longevity of current liberal policies
Growing numbers of foreigners in the country boost demand for wine over the forecast period
Category Data
Key Data Findings
2024 Developments
Strong growth of spirits as the category remains the most widely developed in alcohlic drinks in the country
Carew & Co retains a strong lead thanks to the popularity and accessable pricing of its local Imperial Whiskey brand
Warehouses remains the leading off-trade channel, while society clubs, bars and hotels remain the leading on-trade channels
Prospects and Opportunities
Forecast period sales growth of spirits driven by affordability and availability
Spirits benefits from local production and accessible pricing in relation to imports
More sophisticated consumer base and more liberal alcohol policies boost the need for innovation
Category Data
2024 Developments
Neglibile sales of cider/perry due to religious restrictions and lack of product awareness
Prospects and Opportunities
Sales of cider/perry remain insignificant over the forecast period
Category Data
2024 Developments
Negligible sales of RTDs given the general ban on alcohol consumption among Muslims, the ban on advertising and low engagement of industry players
Prospects and Opportunities
Sales of RTDs remain negligible over the forecast period
Category Data
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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