PUBLISHER: Euromonitor International | PRODUCT CODE: 2125152
PUBLISHER: Euromonitor International | PRODUCT CODE: 2125152
Alcoholic Drinks in China
In 2025, alcoholic drinks in China navigated a landscape marked by moderate economic growth and increasing consumer prudence, with off-trade volume sales contracting slightly to 26.3 billion litres amid heightened health awareness and a preference for moderation. Despite volume declines, the category sustained strong off-trade value at CNY1,245.9 billion, reflecting consumers' willingness to invest in premium products that offer quality and authenticity. Beer maintained its dominant volume position, buoyed by innovation in non alcoholic and low alcohol variants and larger pack formats. Meanwhile, spirits and RTDs experienced volume erosion due to shifting consumption habits. The category’s maturity was evident in stable market shares being held by leading brewers alongside emerging players capturing niche segments. Concurrently, the rapid expansion of retail e-commerce and instant delivery platforms was transforming purchasing behaviours, providing convenience and variety especially for premium and health-oriented offerings. Success in this environment requires brands to prioritise premiumisation, innovate with low-alcohol and non alcoholic products, and adopt agile distribution strategies that leverage digital channels to meet evolving consumer demand in a cautious yet value-driven market.
Euromonitor International's Alcoholic Drinks in China report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data (2021-2025), allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they legislative, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2030 illustrate how the market is set to change.
Product coverage: Beer, Cider/Perry, RTDs, Spirits, Wine.
Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.
Why buy this report?
- Get a detailed picture of the Alcoholic Drinks market;
- Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
- Understand the competitive environment, the market's major players and leading brands;
- Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.
Euromonitor International has over 50 years' experience of publishing market research reports, business reference books and online information systems. With offices in London, Chicago, Singapore, Shanghai, Vilnius, Dubai, Cape Town, Santiago, Sydney, Tokyo, Bengaluru, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Dusseldorf and Mexico City and a network of analysts in 100 countries, Euromonitor International has a unique capability and an understanding of diverse markets to develop reliable information resources to help drive informed strategic planning. To learn more about how our research solutions can support you, contact your local Euromonitor International office.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List Of Contents And Tables
Executive Summary
- 2025 Developments
Key Data Insights
Key Industry Trends
- CHART 1 Key Industry Trends for Alcoholic Drinks
Industry Performance
- Consumer Prudence Drives Value and Premiumisation Amid Moderate Economic Growth
- CHART 2 Expanding Range of Private Label Craft Beer
- Beer Leads Volume with Premiumisation Supporting Value Sales
- Absolut Vodka and Genki Forest Partnership Exemplifies No/Low Alcohol Innovation
- CHART 3 Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 4 Volume Sales by Category 2025
What's Next?
- Consumers to Moderate Drinking Amid Stable Economic Growth and Market Maturity
- Beer to Retain Volume Leadership as It Sees Continued Premiumisation
- Innovation in Premium and Low Alcohol Products Reshapes Consumer Choices and Channels
- CHART 5 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 6 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Competitive Landscape
- CHART 7 Analyst Insight for Alcoholic Drinks
- Leading Brewers Strengthen Position Amid Steady Share Dynamics
- Growth among Emerging Brewers Presents Strategic Expansion Opportunities
- CHART 8 Company Shares 2025
- CHART 9 Brand Shares 2025
Channels
- Grocery Retailers Still Dominant, but E-Commerce Gains Momentum
- Premiumisation and Health Awareness Drive Retail Channel Innovation
- Retail E-Commerce Reshapes Purchasing Habits with Convenience and Variety
Market Background
- 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
Products
- Budweiser and Tsingtao Expand No and Low Alcohol Portfolios to Capture Health-Conscious Consumers
- CHART 10 Major Beverage Companies Compete to Launch Low Alcohol and Non Alcoholic Products
- Absolut Vodka and Genki Forest Partnership Pioneers Low-Alcohol Rtd Innovation
- Retailers Boost Large-Pack Private Label Craft Beers to Meet Value-Seeking Consumer Demand
Economic Context
- CHART 11 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
- CHART 12 Inflation 2020-2030
- CHART 13 Economic Context for Alcoholic Drinks
Consumer Context
- CHART 14 Population 2020-2030
- CHART 15 Population by Generation 2025
- CHART 16 Consumer Context for Alcoholic Drinks
- Country Reports Disclaimer
BEER IN CHINA
Key Data Insights
- 2025 Developments
- Beer Summary
Key Industry Trends
- CHART 17 Key Industry Trends for Beer
Industry Performance
- Value Growth Contrasts with Volume Decline Amid Cautious Consumer Spending
- Lager Dominates Volume with Sustained Consumer Preference for Familiarity
- Retailers Leverage Private Label and Flavour Innovation to Capture Value Growth
- CHART 18 Private Label Beer Emerges as a Key Beneficiary of Market Polarisation
- CHART 19 Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 20 Volume Sales by Category 2025
What's Next?
- Brewers Leverage Premiumisation to Sustain Value Growth Amid Volume Decline
- Lager to Retain Volume Dominance Despite Slow Decline While Niche Beers Gain Momentum
- Brewers Innovate with Fresh and Tea-Infused Beers to Meet Evolving Consumer Demand
- CHART 21 Continuous Flavour Innovation Attracts Consumers
- CHART 22 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 23 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Competitive Landscape
- CHART 24 Analyst Insight for Beer
- China Resources Beer and Tsingtao Brewery Support Leadership through Off-Trade Dominance
- Shifting Consumption Patterns and Stable Leadership Present Strategic Growth Opportunities
- CHART 25 Company Shares 2025
- CHART 26 Brand Shares 2025
Channels
- Small Local Grocers Maintains Lead
- Consumer Convenience and Entrenched Access Shape Retail Trends
Economic Context
- CHART 27 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
- CHART 28 Inflation 2020-2030
- CHART 29 Economic Context for Beer
Consumer Context
- CHART 30 Population 2020-2030
- CHART 31 Population by Generation 2025
- CHART 32 Consumer Context for Beer
- Country Reports Disclaimer
CIDER/PERRY IN CHINA
Key Data Insights
- 2025 Developments
- Cider/Perry Summary
Key Industry Trends
- CHART 33 Key Industry Trends for Cider/Perry
Industry Performance
- Shan Cheng Niang Zao Leverages E-Commerce to Reach Young Adults
- CHART 34 The Nolo Revolution Pivots Cider/Perry From Craft Indulgence to Mainstream
- CHART 35 Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 36 Volume Sales by Category 2025
What's Next?
- E-Commerce Platforms and Convenience Stores Drive At-Home Drinking Habits
- Fruit-Flavoured Innovation and Visual Design to Win over Young Adult Drinkers
- CHART 37 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 38 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Competitive Landscape
- CHART 39 Analyst Insight for Cider/Perry
- Small Breweries Leverage E-Commerce to Erode Incumbent Shares
- CHART 40 Company Shares 2025
- CHART 41 Brand Shares 2025
Channels
- Convenience Stores and E-Commerce Sustain Off-Trade Dominance through Instant Delivery
Products
- Shan Cheng Niang Zao Uses E-Commerce to Engage Young Consumers
- Shan Cheng Niang Zao and Somersby Expand Reach with Digital-First Strategies
- CHART 42 Local Flavour Experiments Attract More Young Consumers of Legal Drinking Age
Economic Context
- CHART 43 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
- CHART 44 Inflation 2020-2030
- CHART 45 Economic Context for Cider/Perry
Consumer Context
- CHART 46 Population 2020-2030
- CHART 47 Population by Generation 2025
- CHART 48 Consumer Context for Cider/Perry
- Country Reports Disclaimer
RTDS IN CHINA
Key Data Insights
- 2025 Developments
- Rtds Summary
Key Industry Trends
- CHART 49 Key Industry Trends for Rtds
Industry Performance
- Moderate Economic Growth Fails to Prevent Decline in Overall Sales
- Spirit-Based Rtds Dominates Volume as Other Variants Remain Niche
- Low Abv Cocktails Reshape Competition with Social and Health Appeal
- CHART 50 Low Abv Pre-Mixed Cocktails Pivot to 3-5% Alcohol, Capturing Mindful Drinkers
- CHART 51 Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 52 Volume Sales by Category 2025
What's Next?
- Young Consumers of Legal Drinking Age Reshape Drinking Habits Driving Rtds Decline
- Spirit-Based Rtds to Maintain Volume Dominance Amid Overall Decline
- Fragmented Channels and Local Flavours Drive Strategic Innovation
- CHART 53 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 54 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Competitive Landscape
- CHART 55 Analyst Insight for Rtds
- Shanghai Bacchus Dominates
- Stability in Leadership Encourages Innovation and Targeted Growth Strategies
- CHART 56 Company Shares 2025
- CHART 57 Brand Shares 2025
Channels
- Convenience Stores and Retail E-Commerce Gain Share Amid Decline of Traditional Channels
- Channel Fragmentation and Scenario-Based Retailing Reshape Consumer Access and Brand Strategies
- Top Online Retailers Create a Compelling Proposition
Products
- Flavour and Low Abv Trends Drive Product Innovation and Consumer Appeal
- Leading Brands Leverage Flavour Innovation and Targeted Positioning to Capture Niches
- CHART 58 Horoyoi Gains Share
Economic Context
- CHART 59 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
- CHART 60 Inflation 2020-2030
- CHART 61 Economic Context for Rtds
Consumer Context
- CHART 62 Population 2020-2030
- CHART 63 Population by Generation 2025
- CHART 64 Consumer Context for Rtds
- Country Reports Disclaimer
SPIRITS IN CHINA
Key Data Insights
- 2025 Developments
- Spirits Summary
Key Industry Trends
- CHART 65 Key Industry Trends for Spirits
Industry Performance
- Premium Gifting Drives Resilience Amid Economic Headwinds
- Other Spirits Dominates Volume While Liqueurs Shows Dynamic Off-Trade Growth
- Premium and Value Spirits Polarise Consumer Choices with Heritage Focus
- CHART 66 Heritage as a Key Differentiator in Premium Spirits
- CHART 67 Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 68 Volume Sales by Category 2025
What's Next?
- Luxury Other Spirits to Maintain Dominance Despite Overall Volume Decline
- Liqueurs and Whiskies Gain Traction through Dynamic Growth and Evolving Tastes
- Chinese Distillers Innovate and Navigate Tariffs to Sustain Premium Growth
- CHART 69 Chinese Distillers Introduce Lower Alcohol Variants of Traditional Spirits
- CHART 70 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 71 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Competitive Landscape
- CHART 72 Analyst Insight for Spirits
- Leading Chinese Distillers Strengthen Position Amid Multinational Challenges
- Innovation and Evolving Consumer Preferences Create Growth Avenues for Distillers
- CHART 73 Company Shares 2025
- CHART 74 Brand Shares 2025
Channels
- Supermarkets Leads While E-Commerce Expands
- Retail E-Commerce Reshapes Purchasing with Convenience and Curated Offerings
Economic Context
- CHART 75 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
- CHART 76 Inflation 2020-2030
- CHART 77 Economic Context for Spirits
Consumer Context
- CHART 78 Population 2020-2030
- CHART 79 Population by Generation 2025
- CHART 80 Consumer Context for Spirits
- Country Reports Disclaimer
WINE IN CHINA
Key Data Insights
- 2025 Developments
- Wine Summary
Key Industry Trends
- CHART 81 Key Industry Trends for Wine
Industry Performance
- Value Stability Amid Volume Decline Reflects Shifting Consumer Preferences
- Rice Wine Leads Volume but Sparkling and White Wine Drive Value Growth
- Retail E-Commerce and Small Packaging Reshape Consumption and Access
- CHART 82 Albero in Fiore Making Debut in Online Channel
- CHART 83 Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 84 Volume Sales by Category 2025
What's Next?
- Gen Z and Female Consumers Drive White Wine Growth through Refreshing Profiles
- Non-Grape Wine Remains Largest While Sparkling Wine Sees Fast Growth
- E-Commerce Transformation and Consumer Lifestyle Shifts Reshape Wine Business Models
- CHART 85 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
- CHART 86 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Competitive Landscape
- CHART 87 Analyst Insight for Wine
- Leading Manufacturers Shift Towards Boutique Production Reshaping Concentration
- Domestic Innovation and Shifting Consumer Tastes Offer Growth Pathways
- CHART 88 Company Shares 2025
- CHART 89 Brand Shares 2025
Channels
- Grocery Retailers Maintain Dominance While E-Commerce Expands Access
- Convenience and Small Packaging Shape Modern Retail Landscapes
- Retail E-Commerce Transforms Wine Shopping with Speed and Social Engagement
- CHART 90 Piccolo Glass Bottle
Economic Context
- CHART 91 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
- CHART 92 Inflation 2020-2030
- CHART 93 Economic Context for Wine
Consumer Context
- CHART 94 Population 2020-2030
- CHART 95 Population by Generation 2025
- CHART 96 Consumer Context for Wine
- Country Reports Disclaimer
