Alcoholic drinks in 2024: The big picture
Alcoholic drinks in Malaysia recorded moderate volume growth in 2024, supported by a thriving tourism sector and regular festivities and celebrations which are popular drinking occasions. Although alcohol is legal in Malaysia almost two-thirds of the country’s inhabitants are Muslim, and thus foreign visitors form a key consumer base for alcoholic drinks in the country.
2024 key trends
In 2024, beer was the largest and fastest-growing category within alcoholic drinks, with volume sales increasing moderately. The strong performance of beer in Malaysia is driven by relatively inelastic demand, as it remains the most affordable and accessible alcoholic beverage on the market.
Competitive landscape
Heineken Malaysia Bhd and Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd are key players in Malaysia’s alcoholic beverage industry. These companies heavily invest in marketing campaigns centred around experiential trends.
Retail developments
Hypermarkets were the leading distribution channel for alcoholic drinks in 2024, followed by small local grocers. Hypermarkets like Lotus’s and Econsave are especially popular for bulk purchases, allowing consumers to benefit from price advantages.
On-trade vs off-trade split
The on-trade is the largest channel for alcoholic beverages consumption in Malaysia. The preference for on-trade consumption is evident in categories such as beer and wine, due to their excellent food-pairing qualities that enhance the overall culinary experience.
What next for alcoholic drinks?
Alcoholic drinks in Malaysia is projected to experience marginal volume growth over the forecast period as on-trade consumption declines slightly. A brighter outlook is predicted in the off-trade, where volume sales will rise at a steady pace.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Alcoholic Drinks industry in Malaysia 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 Malaysia, 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 Malaysia 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 Malaysia?
- 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 Malaysia?
- How are products distributed in Malaysia?
- 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 Malaysia
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
Outlook
DISCLAIMER
Beer in Malaysia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Rising disposable incomes and tourist rebound drives growth in beer
Marketing campaigns often focus on bringing together music lovers and beer drinkers, with free sampling as the core strategy
On-trade settings are popular for beer consumption, while hypermarkets lead the off-trade channel due to their price advantage
Economy and mid-priced lager to experience positive growth as premium lager loses traction
Craft beer accelerates the premiumisation trend
Low and non-alcoholic beer expected to see high growth from low base
Lager price band methodology
Cider/Perry in Malaysia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Cider/perry loses appeal among Millenials and Gen Z
Key players capitalise on brand reputations and ongoing marketing efforts to boost volume share
Off-trade channel remains popular for cider/perry consumption
Non-alcoholic cider is poised to experience strong growth
Immersive pop-ups and strategic collaborations to fuel cider/perry category growth
Influencer marketing drives greater consumer awareness in the cider category
Rtds in Malaysia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
RTDs faces headwinds amidst shifting consumer preferences and competitive pressures
RTD brands struggle to scale amid stiff competition and low consumer awareness
Hypermarkets remain the leading channel for RTDs due to wider product availability
Makgeolli-based RTD is gaining popularity amid Korean cultural influences and health-conscious trends
Volume sales set to decline as shift to low-ABV beverages gains traction
New product innovations to drive demand among younger adults
Spirits in Malaysia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Heightened focus on responsible drinking dampens spirits
International players hold strong position in spirits category
Small local grocers are preferred for quick purchases, while hypermarkets are commonly visited for purchasing spirits intended as gifts
Whiskies are poised to support spirits through cocktail culture and premiumisation
Immersive and experiential marketing will remain key strategy to drive consumer engagement and build emotional brand connections
Cocktail culture in Malaysia is expected to drive future growth of spirits
Vodka, gin, other blended Scotch whisky, dark rum and white rum price band methodology
Wine in Malaysia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Static volume growth observed due to threat of substitues and lifestyle changes
Australian wine is increasingly popular due to strong publicity, promotions and wide availability
Retail channel exhibits dominance in the wine sector
Cocktail culture to fuel growth of fortified wine and vermouth
Wine subscription and loyalty programmes anticipated to boost recurring wine sales and consumer engagement
Zero-alcohol wine poised for growth amid health and wellness trends
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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-
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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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