February 3, 2024

Despite moderate growth compared to the previous year, Ukrainian beer production is significantly lower than the 2021 figure.

According to the estimates of the Ukrpyvo association, beer production in Ukraine in December 2023 amounted to 9.7 million dal, which exceeded the figure of the previous month by 5%, and was almost the same as the output in December 2022.

In total, in 2023, Ukrainian companies produced 133 million dal of beer, which is 7.8% higher y-o-y, but 22% less than in 2021.

Regarding export-import statistics, in 2023 beer exports in physical terms were lower vs. imports (by 11%), in monetary terms, imports exceeded exports almost three times, amounting to $71 million. The market structure was somewhat similar in 2022, but in in pre-war 2021, the position of exporters was much stronger - in natural terms, exports exceeded imports by 60%.

Among the largest beer producers, as a result of Russian aggression, AB InBev Efes Ukraine was the most affected. All its breweries - in Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv - were located near the hostilities and suffered as a result of shelling. The revenue of AB InBev Efes Ukraine in 2022 decreased by 67% to UAH 2.3 billion, the net loss was UAH 2.1 billion.

The company started to resume production at the brewery in Chernihiv only at the end of 2022, in Mykolaiv - in the middle of 2023, the brewery in Kharkiv remains closed as of the beginning of 2024.

According to the company's official financial statements, during the first nine months of 2023, the turnover of AB InBev Efes Ukraine more than doubled compared to the previous year, but given the very significant drop in 2022, most likely, the turnover will still be much lower vs. 2021.

For comparison, the Obolon Corporation, on which the military actions had a much smaller impact, significantly increased its share of the Ukrainian beer market during 2022-23. Its revenue increased by 45% in 2022, and by another 30% in the first nine months of 2023.