GITNUXREPORT 2026

China Beer Industry Statistics

China's beer industry sees falling production but rising premium and craft trends.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2022, China consumed 34.5 million hectoliters of beer, down 3% from 2021.

Statistic 2

Per capita beer consumption in China was 24.5 liters in 2022.

Statistic 3

Beer sales volume reached 33.8 million kiloliters in urban areas in 2022.

Statistic 4

In 2021, total beer sales revenue was 256 billion yuan.

Statistic 5

Off-trade beer sales accounted for 65% of total volume in 2022.

Statistic 6

On-trade beer consumption dropped to 12 million hectoliters in 2022.

Statistic 7

In 2020, beer consumption fell 5.1% to 35.2 million kiloliters.

Statistic 8

Premium beer consumption grew 8.2% to 3.9 million hectoliters in 2022.

Statistic 9

Rural beer consumption was 11.5 million kiloliters in 2022.

Statistic 10

Beer sales in e-commerce channels surged 25% to 2.8 billion liters in 2022.

Statistic 11

In 2019, consumption totaled 37.4 million hectoliters.

Statistic 12

Per capita urban consumption reached 32 liters in 2022.

Statistic 13

Low-alcohol beer sales hit 5.2 million kiloliters in 2022.

Statistic 14

Beer exports consumption equivalent was 1.1 million hectoliters in 2022.

Statistic 15

In 2023 Q1, sales volume was 6.9 million kiloliters.

Statistic 16

Craft beer consumption doubled to 1.5 million hectoliters since 2019.

Statistic 17

Beer sales in Guangdong province led at 3.2 million kiloliters in 2022.

Statistic 18

Shandong consumption 2.9 million hectoliters in 2021.

Statistic 19

Annual beer consumption growth rate was -2.5% in 2022.

Statistic 20

In 2018, consumption was 39.1 million kiloliters.

Statistic 21

Female beer consumption rose 15% to 8.5 million hectoliters in 2022.

Statistic 22

Youth (18-35) accounted for 55% of beer sales volume in 2022.

Statistic 23

Beer sales per capita in Beijing was 45 liters in 2022.

Statistic 24

Shanghai beer consumption 1.8 million kiloliters in 2021.

Statistic 25

Zero-alcohol beer sales grew 40% to 0.8 million hectoliters in 2022.

Statistic 26

Total beer sales outlets numbered 5.2 million in China in 2022.

Statistic 27

In 2022, beer industry revenue totaled 285 billion yuan.

Statistic 28

Tsingtao Brewery profit 4.2 billion yuan in 2022.

Statistic 29

CR Snow revenue 120 billion yuan from beer in 2022.

Statistic 30

Industry profit margin averaged 8.5% in 2022.

Statistic 31

Beer exports value reached 1.2 billion USD in 2022.

Statistic 32

Tax revenue from beer industry 45 billion yuan in 2022.

Statistic 33

Average beer price 3.5 yuan per liter in 2022.

Statistic 34

Investment in beer production 15 billion yuan in 2022.

Statistic 35

Employment in beer sector 1.2 million jobs in 2022.

Statistic 36

Malt import value for beer 2.8 billion USD in 2022.

Statistic 37

Beer retail price index rose 1.2% in 2022.

Statistic 38

Tsingtao stock value 150 billion yuan market cap 2023.

Statistic 39

Industry EBITDA 35 billion yuan in 2022.

Statistic 40

Hop imports cost 450 million USD for brewers in 2022.

Statistic 41

Premium beer average price 8.2 yuan/liter in 2022.

Statistic 42

Craft beer pricing averaged 25 yuan per bottle 2022.

Statistic 43

Government subsidies to breweries 2.5 billion yuan 2022.

Statistic 44

Beer packaging costs 12% of total production costs 2022.

Statistic 45

Export growth 5.3% in value to 1.26 billion USD 2023.

Statistic 46

R&D spend by top brewers 3 billion yuan in 2022.

Statistic 47

Industry debt ratio 45% average in 2022.

Statistic 48

Wholesale beer price 2.8 yuan/liter national avg 2022.

Statistic 49

Foreign investment in breweries 10 billion USD cumulative.

Statistic 50

Profit per hectoliter 650 yuan industry avg 2022.

Statistic 51

Energy costs 8% of production expenses in 2022.

Statistic 52

Beer contributed 0.2% to GDP in 2022.

Statistic 53

In 2022, Snow Beer held 27.5% market share in sales volume.

Statistic 54

Tsingtao Beer captured 17.2% of the market in 2022.

Statistic 55

CR Snow dominated with 31% volume share in 2021.

Statistic 56

Budweiser's market share was 11.8% in premium segment 2022.

Statistic 57

Yanjing Beer held 5.4% national share in 2022.

Statistic 58

Harbin Beer market share 4.1% in Northeast China 2022.

Statistic 59

Craft beer brands collectively 2.5% share in 2023.

Statistic 60

Heineken's share in China was 3.2% in 2022.

Statistic 61

Carlsberg held 2.8% market share in 2021.

Statistic 62

Local brands accounted for 45% of total market in 2022.

Statistic 63

Premium beer segment share rose to 12% in 2022.

Statistic 64

Snow Beer's sales volume 9.4 million hectoliters in 2022.

Statistic 65

Tsingtao revenue share leader at 18% in 2022.

Statistic 66

In Shanghai, Budweiser led with 22% share in 2022.

Statistic 67

Guangdong Tsingtao share 25% in 2021.

Statistic 68

Number of beer brands exceeded 1,500 in China 2023.

Statistic 69

Foreign brands total share 15.3% in 2022.

Statistic 70

Qingdao Beer (Tsingtao) export share 40% of China total.

Statistic 71

Snow Beer premium line share 5% within brand in 2022.

Statistic 72

Pearl River Beer 3.5% share in South China 2022.

Statistic 73

In 2022, Reeb held 2.1% national market share.

Statistic 74

Kingway Beer share 1.8% in 2021.

Statistic 75

Craft segment top brand Le Brew 0.5% share 2023.

Statistic 76

Beijing Beer brand 4.2% in North 2022.

Statistic 77

In premium, Corona share 4.5% in 2022.

Statistic 78

Local microbreweries 1,200+ contributing 1.2% share.

Statistic 79

In 2022, China's beer production totaled 34.89 million kiloliters, a 2.1% decrease from 2021.

Statistic 80

China's beer output in 2021 was 35.64 million hectoliters, down 4.2% year-over-year.

Statistic 81

In 2020, beer production in China reached 37.18 million kiloliters despite COVID-19 impacts.

Statistic 82

Hubei province led beer production with 4.2 million hectoliters in 2022.

Statistic 83

Shandong province produced 3.8 million kiloliters of beer in 2021.

Statistic 84

China's craft beer production grew to 1.2 million hectoliters by 2022.

Statistic 85

Total beer production capacity in China exceeded 120 million kiloliters in 2023.

Statistic 86

In 2019, China produced 39.79 million hectoliters of beer.

Statistic 87

Jiangsu province's beer output was 2.9 million kiloliters in 2022.

Statistic 88

Guangdong produced 2.5 million hectoliters of beer in 2021.

Statistic 89

China's low-alcohol beer production hit 5.6 million kiloliters in 2022.

Statistic 90

In 2018, national beer production stood at 41.15 million hectoliters.

Statistic 91

Sichuan province output 2.1 million kiloliters in 2022.

Statistic 92

Hebei province produced 1.9 million hectoliters of beer in 2021.

Statistic 93

Craft beer production facilities numbered over 500 in China by 2023.

Statistic 94

In 2023 Q1, beer production was 7.2 million kiloliters.

Statistic 95

Zhejiang province's beer production reached 1.8 million hectoliters in 2022.

Statistic 96

Hunan output 1.7 million kiloliters in 2021.

Statistic 97

Annual beer production per brewery averaged 150,000 hectoliters in 2022.

Statistic 98

China's malt usage for beer production was 8.5 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 99

In 2017, beer production peaked at 42.7 million hectoliters.

Statistic 100

Fujian province produced 1.2 million kiloliters in 2022.

Statistic 101

Anhui output 1.5 million hectoliters in 2021.

Statistic 102

Beer production in Henan was 1.6 million kiloliters in 2022.

Statistic 103

Over 1,000 breweries operated in China in 2023.

Statistic 104

In 2022, premium beer production segment grew 3.5% to 4.1 million hectoliters.

Statistic 105

Liaoning province's beer output was 1.4 million kiloliters in 2021.

Statistic 106

Jiangxi produced 1.1 million hectoliters in 2022.

Statistic 107

Shaanxi output 1.0 million kiloliters in 2021.

Statistic 108

In 2023, beer production forecast at 35.2 million hectoliters.

Statistic 109

In 2022, beer market declined 3.5% YoY.

Statistic 110

Premiumization trend: premium share to reach 20% by 2027.

Statistic 111

Craft beer CAGR 15% from 2020-2025 projected.

Statistic 112

Zero-alcohol beer to grow 25% annually to 2028.

Statistic 113

Per capita consumption forecast 28 liters by 2025.

Statistic 114

Production recovery expected +1.5% in 2023.

Statistic 115

E-commerce sales to hit 30% of total by 2025.

Statistic 116

Health-conscious low-carb beers rising 10% YoY.

Statistic 117

Export volume projected 1.5 million KL by 2025.

Statistic 118

Urbanization drives 2% annual consumption growth post-2023.

Statistic 119

Sustainability: 50% breweries adopt green tech by 2025.

Statistic 120

RTD beer crossover impacting traditional 5% by 2024.

Statistic 121

AI in brewing optimization adopted by 30% firms 2023-2025.

Statistic 122

Female consumer segment to grow 20% by 2027.

Statistic 123

Provincial production shift to West: +10% by 2030.

Statistic 124

Digital marketing spend up 40% in 2023-2025.

Statistic 125

Import premium brands share to 25% by 2028.

Statistic 126

Recycling rate for beer cans 85% target by 2025.

Statistic 127

Youth sobriety trend reduces mass-market 4% annually.

Statistic 128

Supply chain localization 70% by 2025.

Statistic 129

Revenue growth forecast 2.8% CAGR 2023-2028.

Statistic 130

Microbrewery count to 2,000 by 2025.

Statistic 131

Baijiu-beer hybrid innovations 15% trial by 2024.

Statistic 132

Climate impact: production cost +3% annually.

Statistic 133

Online live-stream sales 20% of e-com by 2025.

Statistic 134

Health labeling mandatory boosting low-alc 30%.

Statistic 135

ASEAN export focus: 40% growth by 2027.

Statistic 136

Automation rate 60% in large breweries by 2025.

Statistic 137

Vegan beer options 10% market penetration 2028.

Statistic 138

Post-COVID on-trade rebound 15% in 2024.

Statistic 139

Overall market value to 350 billion yuan by 2027.

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Amidst a sea of shifting trends and evolving tastes, China's beer industry, a once unstoppable production juggernaut, is fermenting a complex new identity as it navigates a sustained market contraction while premium, craft, and low-alcohol segments surge to new heights.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, China's beer production totaled 34.89 million kiloliters, a 2.1% decrease from 2021.
China's beer output in 2021 was 35.64 million hectoliters, down 4.2% year-over-year.
In 2020, beer production in China reached 37.18 million kiloliters despite COVID-19 impacts.
In 2022, China consumed 34.5 million hectoliters of beer, down 3% from 2021.
Per capita beer consumption in China was 24.5 liters in 2022.
Beer sales volume reached 33.8 million kiloliters in urban areas in 2022.
In 2022, Snow Beer held 27.5% market share in sales volume.
Tsingtao Beer captured 17.2% of the market in 2022.
CR Snow dominated with 31% volume share in 2021.
In 2022, beer industry revenue totaled 285 billion yuan.
Tsingtao Brewery profit 4.2 billion yuan in 2022.
CR Snow revenue 120 billion yuan from beer in 2022.
In 2022, beer market declined 3.5% YoY.
Premiumization trend: premium share to reach 20% by 2027.
Craft beer CAGR 15% from 2020-2025 projected.

China's beer industry sees falling production but rising premium and craft trends.

Consumption and Sales

In 2022, China consumed 34.5 million hectoliters of beer, down 3% from 2021.
Per capita beer consumption in China was 24.5 liters in 2022.
Beer sales volume reached 33.8 million kiloliters in urban areas in 2022.
In 2021, total beer sales revenue was 256 billion yuan.
Off-trade beer sales accounted for 65% of total volume in 2022.
On-trade beer consumption dropped to 12 million hectoliters in 2022.
In 2020, beer consumption fell 5.1% to 35.2 million kiloliters.
Premium beer consumption grew 8.2% to 3.9 million hectoliters in 2022.
Rural beer consumption was 11.5 million kiloliters in 2022.
Beer sales in e-commerce channels surged 25% to 2.8 billion liters in 2022.
In 2019, consumption totaled 37.4 million hectoliters.
Per capita urban consumption reached 32 liters in 2022.
Low-alcohol beer sales hit 5.2 million kiloliters in 2022.
Beer exports consumption equivalent was 1.1 million hectoliters in 2022.
In 2023 Q1, sales volume was 6.9 million kiloliters.
Craft beer consumption doubled to 1.5 million hectoliters since 2019.
Beer sales in Guangdong province led at 3.2 million kiloliters in 2022.
Shandong consumption 2.9 million hectoliters in 2021.
Annual beer consumption growth rate was -2.5% in 2022.
In 2018, consumption was 39.1 million kiloliters.
Female beer consumption rose 15% to 8.5 million hectoliters in 2022.
Youth (18-35) accounted for 55% of beer sales volume in 2022.
Beer sales per capita in Beijing was 45 liters in 2022.
Shanghai beer consumption 1.8 million kiloliters in 2021.
Zero-alcohol beer sales grew 40% to 0.8 million hectoliters in 2022.
Total beer sales outlets numbered 5.2 million in China in 2022.

Consumption and Sales Interpretation

While China's total beer volume is gently sobering up, the nation's thirst is refining itself, with craft, premium, and e-commerce brews booming as drinkers trade quantity for quality and convenience.

Economic and Financial

In 2022, beer industry revenue totaled 285 billion yuan.
Tsingtao Brewery profit 4.2 billion yuan in 2022.
CR Snow revenue 120 billion yuan from beer in 2022.
Industry profit margin averaged 8.5% in 2022.
Beer exports value reached 1.2 billion USD in 2022.
Tax revenue from beer industry 45 billion yuan in 2022.
Average beer price 3.5 yuan per liter in 2022.
Investment in beer production 15 billion yuan in 2022.
Employment in beer sector 1.2 million jobs in 2022.
Malt import value for beer 2.8 billion USD in 2022.
Beer retail price index rose 1.2% in 2022.
Tsingtao stock value 150 billion yuan market cap 2023.
Industry EBITDA 35 billion yuan in 2022.
Hop imports cost 450 million USD for brewers in 2022.
Premium beer average price 8.2 yuan/liter in 2022.
Craft beer pricing averaged 25 yuan per bottle 2022.
Government subsidies to breweries 2.5 billion yuan 2022.
Beer packaging costs 12% of total production costs 2022.
Export growth 5.3% in value to 1.26 billion USD 2023.
R&D spend by top brewers 3 billion yuan in 2022.
Industry debt ratio 45% average in 2022.
Wholesale beer price 2.8 yuan/liter national avg 2022.
Foreign investment in breweries 10 billion USD cumulative.
Profit per hectoliter 650 yuan industry avg 2022.
Energy costs 8% of production expenses in 2022.
Beer contributed 0.2% to GDP in 2022.

Economic and Financial Interpretation

Amidst towering revenues of 285 billion yuan, China's brewers are pouring out a potent economic cocktail, where a single company's 4.2-billion-yuan profit floats on a sea of beer priced for the masses at just 3.5 yuan a liter.

Market Leaders and Shares

In 2022, Snow Beer held 27.5% market share in sales volume.
Tsingtao Beer captured 17.2% of the market in 2022.
CR Snow dominated with 31% volume share in 2021.
Budweiser's market share was 11.8% in premium segment 2022.
Yanjing Beer held 5.4% national share in 2022.
Harbin Beer market share 4.1% in Northeast China 2022.
Craft beer brands collectively 2.5% share in 2023.
Heineken's share in China was 3.2% in 2022.
Carlsberg held 2.8% market share in 2021.
Local brands accounted for 45% of total market in 2022.
Premium beer segment share rose to 12% in 2022.
Snow Beer's sales volume 9.4 million hectoliters in 2022.
Tsingtao revenue share leader at 18% in 2022.
In Shanghai, Budweiser led with 22% share in 2022.
Guangdong Tsingtao share 25% in 2021.
Number of beer brands exceeded 1,500 in China 2023.
Foreign brands total share 15.3% in 2022.
Qingdao Beer (Tsingtao) export share 40% of China total.
Snow Beer premium line share 5% within brand in 2022.
Pearl River Beer 3.5% share in South China 2022.
In 2022, Reeb held 2.1% national market share.
Kingway Beer share 1.8% in 2021.
Craft segment top brand Le Brew 0.5% share 2023.
Beijing Beer brand 4.2% in North 2022.
In premium, Corona share 4.5% in 2022.
Local microbreweries 1,200+ contributing 1.2% share.

Market Leaders and Shares Interpretation

The Chinese beer market is a kingdom where Snow reigns by volume, Tsingtao rules by revenue, and a thousand local lords hold the fort, while premium imports are still just sipping at the moat.

Production Volume

In 2022, China's beer production totaled 34.89 million kiloliters, a 2.1% decrease from 2021.
China's beer output in 2021 was 35.64 million hectoliters, down 4.2% year-over-year.
In 2020, beer production in China reached 37.18 million kiloliters despite COVID-19 impacts.
Hubei province led beer production with 4.2 million hectoliters in 2022.
Shandong province produced 3.8 million kiloliters of beer in 2021.
China's craft beer production grew to 1.2 million hectoliters by 2022.
Total beer production capacity in China exceeded 120 million kiloliters in 2023.
In 2019, China produced 39.79 million hectoliters of beer.
Jiangsu province's beer output was 2.9 million kiloliters in 2022.
Guangdong produced 2.5 million hectoliters of beer in 2021.
China's low-alcohol beer production hit 5.6 million kiloliters in 2022.
In 2018, national beer production stood at 41.15 million hectoliters.
Sichuan province output 2.1 million kiloliters in 2022.
Hebei province produced 1.9 million hectoliters of beer in 2021.
Craft beer production facilities numbered over 500 in China by 2023.
In 2023 Q1, beer production was 7.2 million kiloliters.
Zhejiang province's beer production reached 1.8 million hectoliters in 2022.
Hunan output 1.7 million kiloliters in 2021.
Annual beer production per brewery averaged 150,000 hectoliters in 2022.
China's malt usage for beer production was 8.5 million tons in 2022.
In 2017, beer production peaked at 42.7 million hectoliters.
Fujian province produced 1.2 million kiloliters in 2022.
Anhui output 1.5 million hectoliters in 2021.
Beer production in Henan was 1.6 million kiloliters in 2022.
Over 1,000 breweries operated in China in 2023.
In 2022, premium beer production segment grew 3.5% to 4.1 million hectoliters.
Liaoning province's beer output was 1.4 million kiloliters in 2021.
Jiangxi produced 1.1 million hectoliters in 2022.
Shaanxi output 1.0 million kiloliters in 2021.
In 2023, beer production forecast at 35.2 million hectoliters.

Production Volume Interpretation

Despite a sobering multi-year contraction in China's beer output, the industry is clearly fermenting a more premium and craft-focused future, with production capacity sitting idly by like a patient designated driver.

Trends and Projections

In 2022, beer market declined 3.5% YoY.
Premiumization trend: premium share to reach 20% by 2027.
Craft beer CAGR 15% from 2020-2025 projected.
Zero-alcohol beer to grow 25% annually to 2028.
Per capita consumption forecast 28 liters by 2025.
Production recovery expected +1.5% in 2023.
E-commerce sales to hit 30% of total by 2025.
Health-conscious low-carb beers rising 10% YoY.
Export volume projected 1.5 million KL by 2025.
Urbanization drives 2% annual consumption growth post-2023.
Sustainability: 50% breweries adopt green tech by 2025.
RTD beer crossover impacting traditional 5% by 2024.
AI in brewing optimization adopted by 30% firms 2023-2025.
Female consumer segment to grow 20% by 2027.
Provincial production shift to West: +10% by 2030.
Digital marketing spend up 40% in 2023-2025.
Import premium brands share to 25% by 2028.
Recycling rate for beer cans 85% target by 2025.
Youth sobriety trend reduces mass-market 4% annually.
Supply chain localization 70% by 2025.
Revenue growth forecast 2.8% CAGR 2023-2028.
Microbrewery count to 2,000 by 2025.
Baijiu-beer hybrid innovations 15% trial by 2024.
Climate impact: production cost +3% annually.
Online live-stream sales 20% of e-com by 2025.
Health labeling mandatory boosting low-alc 30%.
ASEAN export focus: 40% growth by 2027.
Automation rate 60% in large breweries by 2025.
Vegan beer options 10% market penetration 2028.
Post-COVID on-trade rebound 15% in 2024.
Overall market value to 350 billion yuan by 2027.

Trends and Projections Interpretation

The Chinese beer market is on a sophisticated diet, drinking less in volume but obsessively upgrading its taste for premium, craft, and zero-alcohol options while feverishly digitizing its shopping and brewing with a green conscience.

Sources & References

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