From the staggering AUD 32.5 billion in total revenue to the surprising fact that non-alcoholic drinks now command 58% of the market, Australia's beverage industry is a dynamic powerhouse brimming with opportunity and shifting consumer tastes.
Key Takeaways
- The Australian beverage industry generated total revenue of AUD 32.5 billion in 2023, up 4.2% from the previous year.
- Non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 58% of total beverage market revenue in Australia during FY2023.
- The overall beverage market in Australia grew at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2018 to 2023.
- Beer production in Australia totalled 1.45 billion litres in calendar year 2023.
- Wine grape crush volume was 1.77 million tonnes in 2022-23 vintage.
- Soft drink manufacturing output reached 2.1 billion litres annually in 2023.
- Per capita beer consumption in Australia was 75 litres in 2023.
- Wine consumption per capita stood at 23.5 litres in 2022-23.
- Soft drinks consumption averaged 120 litres per person annually in 2023.
- The beverage sector revenue totalled AUD 35.2 billion in FY2023.
- Alcoholic beverages generated AUD 18.7 billion in revenue in 2023.
- Non-alcoholic beverage revenue was AUD 16.5 billion in 2023.
- Australia exported AUD 3.1 billion worth of beverages in 2022-23.
- Wine exports volume was 750 million litres valued at AUD 2.9 billion in 2023.
- Beer exports reached 45 million litres worth AUD 250 million in 2023.
Australia's beverage industry grew significantly in 2023, led by both alcoholic and non-alcoholic segments.
Consumption Statistics
1Per capita beer consumption in Australia was 75 litres in 2023.
Verified2Wine consumption per capita stood at 23.5 litres in 2022-23.
Verified3Soft drinks consumption averaged 120 litres per person annually in 2023.
Verified4Bottled water consumption per capita reached 45 litres in 2023.
Directional5Energy drinks consumption grew to 12 litres per capita in 2023.
Single source6Spirits consumption per capita was 2.8 litres of pure alcohol in 2023.
Verified7RTD beverages consumption volume per capita hit 6.5 litres in 2023.
Verified8Functional beverage intake per capita increased to 15 litres in FY2023.
Verified9Juice consumption per capita declined to 18 litres in 2023.
Directional10Low/no alcohol beer consumption surged 25% to 3 litres per capita in 2023.
Single source11Per capita spirits consumption rose to 3.1 litres pure alcohol equivalent.
Verified12Cider consumption per capita was 2.2 litres in 2023.
Verified13Sports drinks consumption grew 14% YoY to 8 litres per capita.
Verified14Carbonated soft drinks consumption 95 litres per capita annually.
Directional15Millennials consumed 40% of premium RTD beverages in 2023.
Single source16Gen Z beverage spend up 20% on health-focused drinks.
Verified1755% of Australians drink bottled water weekly in 2023 survey.
Verified1862% of consumers prefer low-sugar beverages in 2023.
Verified19Female consumers drove 45% of rosé wine consumption.
Directional2070% of households bought plant milks in 2023.
Single sourceConsumption Statistics Interpretation
It seems Australians are conducting a deeply scientific, multi-beverage experiment where we're simultaneously trying to hydrate with a bathtub of bottled water, power up on energy drinks, nostalgically cling to a heroic amount of beer, and yet also, in a moment of clarity, collectively ask for that beer to be low-alcohol and the soft drink to be sugar-free.
Economic Impact
1Beverage industry employed 55,000 people directly in Australia in 2023.
Verified2Alcoholic beverage manufacturing supported 120,000 jobs including indirect in 2023.
Verified3Wine industry contributed AUD 5.4 billion to GDP in 2022-23.
Verified4Soft drink sector generated AUD 2.1 billion in wages and salaries in FY2023.
Directional5Beverage exports supported 25,000 jobs in regional Australia in 2023.
Single source6Tax revenue from beverages totalled AUD 15.2 billion in 2023.
Verified7Craft brewing added AUD 1.5 billion to economy through tourism in 2023.
Verified8Beverage industry R&D investment was AUD 450 million in FY2023.
Verified9Beverage manufacturing contributed 1.2% to national manufacturing GDP in 2023.
Directional10Beverage industry paid AUD 4.2 billion in excise duties in FY2023.
Single source11Regional beverage employment 35,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
Verified12Beverage supply chain contributed AUD 10.5 billion to GDP.
Verified13Industry innovation grants totalled AUD 120 million in 2023.
Verified14Sustainable packaging adopted by 75% of beverage firms.
Directional15Beverage tourism generated AUD 2.8 billion revenue.
Single sourceEconomic Impact Interpretation
Australia's beverage industry is far more than a collection of hangovers and sugar rushes; it's a potent economic engine, distilling everything from morning coffees to fine wines into tens of billions in GDP, robust tax revenues, and hundreds of thousands of jobs, proving that what we drink truly does pour prosperity back into the country.
Market Overview
1The Australian beverage industry generated total revenue of AUD 32.5 billion in 2023, up 4.2% from the previous year.
Verified2Non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 58% of total beverage market revenue in Australia during FY2023.
Verified3The overall beverage market in Australia grew at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2018 to 2023.
Verified4Bottled water segment within beverages reached AUD 2.1 billion in retail sales in 2023.
Directional5Energy drinks market value in Australia hit AUD 1.4 billion in 2023, with 15% YoY growth.
Single source6Australian wine industry export value reached AUD 2.9 billion in 2022-23.
Verified7Total soft drinks production volume in Australia was 1.8 billion litres in 2022.
Verified8Craft beer segment contributed AUD 850 million to the market in 2023.
Verified9RTD (ready-to-drink) beverages sales volume grew 12% to 150 million litres in 2023.
Directional10Functional beverages market in Australia valued at AUD 1.2 billion in FY2023.
Single source11Functional beverages market projected to grow at 6.5% CAGR to 2030.
VerifiedMarket Overview Interpretation
With Australians increasingly choosing hydration over hangovers, the $32.5 billion beverage industry is soberly caffeinating itself towards a functional future, one remarkably expensive bottle of water at a time.
Market Value and Revenue
1The beverage sector revenue totalled AUD 35.2 billion in FY2023.
Verified2Alcoholic beverages generated AUD 18.7 billion in revenue in 2023.
Verified3Non-alcoholic beverage revenue was AUD 16.5 billion in 2023.
Verified4Beer market revenue reached AUD 12.4 billion in FY2023.
Directional5Wine retail revenue totalled AUD 6.2 billion in 2023.
Single source6Spirits and liqueurs revenue hit AUD 4.1 billion in 2023.
Verified7Soft drinks retail sales revenue was AUD 5.8 billion in 2023.
Verified8RTD segment revenue grew to AUD 2.3 billion in 2023.
Verified9Bottled water revenue increased 7% to AUD 2.4 billion in FY2023.
Directional10Craft beer revenue share reached 8% of total beer market at AUD 1.1 billion.
Single source11Premium beer segment revenue up 9% to AUD 3.2 billion in 2023.
Verified12Tea and coffee ready-to-drink sales revenue AUD 950 million in 2023.
Verified13Plant-based milk alternatives revenue AUD 1.1 billion in 2023.
Verified14No/low alcohol wine sales up 30% to AUD 150 million revenue.
Directional15Hard seltzer market revenue AUD 450 million in FY2023.
Single source16Beer wholesale revenue AUD 8.9 billion in 2023.
Verified17Premiumisation drove 15% revenue growth in spirits segment.
Verified18Online beverage sales revenue AUD 3.4 billion in FY2023.
Verified19Lager beer held 65% market share by volume in 2023.
DirectionalMarket Value and Revenue Interpretation
While Australians may not be able to decide if they're more thirsty or more parched, the nation's AUD 35.2 billion beverage industry clearly shows a sophisticated split personality, with the sobering pursuit of craft beers and premium spirits barely edging out the collective craving for a decent cup of coffee and a hydrating bottle of water.
Production Statistics
1Beer production in Australia totalled 1.45 billion litres in calendar year 2023.
Verified2Wine grape crush volume was 1.77 million tonnes in 2022-23 vintage.
Verified3Soft drink manufacturing output reached 2.1 billion litres annually in 2023.
Verified4Spirits production volume in Australia was 45 million litres of pure alcohol in 2023.
Directional5Bottled water production hit 1.5 billion litres in Australia for 2023.
Single source6Craft brewery output grew to 120 million litres in 2023, up 8% YoY.
Verified7Juice and nectar production volume was 450 million litres in FY2023.
Verified8Cider production reached 55 million litres in Australia during 2023.
Verified9Energy drink manufacturing output was 320 million litres in 2023.
Directional10RTD spirits production volume totalled 120 million litres in 2023.
Single source11Low-alcohol beverage production increased 18% to 80 million litres in 2023.
Verified12Sparkling wine production reached 65 million litres in 2022-23 vintage.
Verified13Organic beverage production up 22% to 250 million litres in 2023.
Verified14Table wine crush was 1.2 million tonnes in 2023 vintage.
Directional15Kombucha production reached 45 million litres in Australia 2023.
Single source16Fortified wine production 15 million litres in 2022-23.
Verified17Cold brew coffee RTD production 25 million litres in 2023.
Verified18Dairy-based beverages production 1.2 billion litres annually.
Verified19Ginger beer production surged 28% to 18 million litres.
Directional20Electrolyte drinks production 90 million litres in 2023.
Single source21Vitamin water sales volume 35 million litres annually.
VerifiedProduction Statistics Interpretation
Australia's beverage industry is basically a high-stakes hydration experiment, where we've somehow decided the optimal way to quench a national thirst involves a complex cocktail of 1.45 billion litres of beer, a heroic amount of coffee-in-a-can, and just enough kombucha to make us feel virtuous about the whole glorious mess.
Trade Statistics
1Australia exported AUD 3.1 billion worth of beverages in 2022-23.
Verified2Wine exports volume was 750 million litres valued at AUD 2.9 billion in 2023.
Verified3Beer exports reached 45 million litres worth AUD 250 million in 2023.
Verified4Spirits exports grew 10% to AUD 450 million in FY2023.
Directional5Beverage imports totalled AUD 2.8 billion in 2022-23.
Single source6Imported soft drinks value was AUD 180 million in 2023.
Verified7RTD exports from Australia hit AUD 120 million in 2023.
Verified8China received 35% of Australia's wine exports by value in 2023.
Verified9US imported AUD 450 million in Australian beverages in 2023.
Directional10Australia imported 120 million litres of beer in 2023 valued at AUD 320 million.
Single source11UK beverage imports from Australia totalled AUD 180 million in 2023.
Verified12Distilled spirits exports volume 12 million litres in 2023.
Verified13Imported wine volume 250 million litres worth AUD 1.2 billion.
Verified14ASEAN markets took 20% of Australian beverage exports.
Directional15Export growth to India reached AUD 85 million for beverages.
Single source16Bulk wine exports 420 million litres in 2022-23.
VerifiedTrade Statistics Interpretation
The data reveals Australia’s beverage trade is a spirited global tango, where we proudly export oceans of wine for billions, yet curiously import back a river of beer, all while keeping the accountants tipsy with a delicate, almost-even balance of trade.
Sources & References
- Reference 1IBISWORLDibisworld.comVisit source
- Reference 2STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 3EUROMONITOReuromonitor.comVisit source
- Reference 4BEVERAGESCOUNCILbeveragescouncil.org.auVisit source
- Reference 5WINEAUSTRALIAwineaustralia.comVisit source
- Reference 6ABSabs.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 7BREWERSbrewers.org.auVisit source
- Reference 8DRINKSTRADEdrinkstrade.com.auVisit source
- Reference 9GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 10DISTILLERSdistillers.org.auVisit source
- Reference 11CRAFTBREWINGASSOCIATIONcraftbrewingassociation.com.auVisit source
- Reference 12CIDERcider.org.auVisit source
- Reference 13FRUITJUICEfruitjuice.org.auVisit source
- Reference 14DFATdfat.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 15AUSWINEAUSTRALIAauswineaustralia.comVisit source
- Reference 16AIHWaihw.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 17ORGANICBEVERAGESorganicbeverages.org.auVisit source
- Reference 18GOVgov.ukVisit source
- Reference 19ATOato.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 20PLANTBASEDAUSTRALIAplantbasedaustralia.comVisit source
- Reference 21REGIONALAUSTRALIAregionalaustralia.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 22KOMBUCHAAUSTRALIAkombuchaaustralia.comVisit source
- Reference 23COFFEEBEVERAGEScoffeebeverages.com.auVisit source
- Reference 24DAIRYdairy.org.auVisit source
- Reference 25INDUSTRYindustry.gov.auVisit source