Czech Alcohol Consumption Declines: Rise of Non-Alcoholic Alternatives & Dry January Impact
- Czech beer production is on the rise, even as domestic consumption of alcoholic beverages declines, a trend fueled by growing exports and a surge in demand for non-alcoholic...
- Last year, Czech breweries produced nearly 20.9 million hectoliters of beer, a 4.2% increase compared to 2023, according to industry data.
- The most notable driver of growth within the Czech beer market is the rapidly expanding non-alcoholic beer sector.
Czech beer production is on the rise, even as domestic consumption of alcoholic beverages declines, a trend fueled by growing exports and a surge in demand for non-alcoholic alternatives. This apparent paradox highlights a shifting landscape in the Czech Republic’s brewing industry and broader consumer habits.
Last year, Czech breweries produced nearly 20.9 million hectoliters of beer, a 4.2% increase compared to , according to industry data. However, the average per capita consumption of alcoholic beer fell to 126 liters, two liters less than the previous year. This continuing decline in domestic alcoholic beer intake is offset by a significant increase in exports, with over a quarter of production – 5.9 million hectoliters – now heading to foreign markets, reaching the highest level since .
The most notable driver of growth within the Czech beer market is the rapidly expanding non-alcoholic beer sector. Production reached 1.613 million hectoliters in , representing a substantial 13.7% year-over-year increase. Non-alcoholic beer now accounts for approximately 10% of total domestic brewery output. Tomáš Slunečko, executive director of the Czech Beer and Malt Association, attributes this trend to “Czechs’ active lifestyle choices and growing preference for alcohol-free alternatives during sports activities or when alcohol consumption isn’t desired.”
This shift in consumer preference is also reflected in retail sales patterns. Nearly three-quarters of beer sales now occur in retail stores, a historic high outside of pandemic-related lockdowns. Canned beer is gaining popularity, now representing almost a quarter of all beer packaging, although traditional glass bottles remain the dominant container. Lager beer, with an alcohol content of 11-12 degrees, continues to be the preferred choice for most Czech consumers, accounting for 58.3% of total production.
The changing habits aren’t limited to a simple preference for non-alcoholic options. Data from the Czech Statistical Office shows a broader decline in overall alcohol consumption. While per capita consumption stood at 173 liters of pure alcohol in , it fell to 156 liters in . This decline is observed across different alcohol categories, with spirits experiencing the most significant drop, falling to six liters per person annually.
Retailers are responding to these trends. Globus, for example, has observed smaller alcohol purchases, particularly in , which they attribute to New Year’s resolutions to reduce alcohol consumption. Aneta Turnovská, a spokesperson for Globus, noted that while the “Suchej únor” (Dry February) campaign may not have a large impact on sales, they have seen increased sales of bottled water, soft drinks, and non-alcoholic alternatives like gin, rum, prosecco, and beer.
Tesco is also seeing a shift in consumer behavior, with customers making less impulsive purchases and reducing stockpiling. Lucie Loučková, a Tesco spokesperson, stated that many customers are actively participating in Dry February and that the retailer is strengthening its offering of non-alcoholic wines, beers, and spirits, observing a growing interest in quality alternatives.
The de-alcoholized sparkling wine segment is experiencing the most rapid growth. Over 1.5 million bottles are sold annually in the Czech Republic, representing approximately 8% of the total sparkling wine market. Bohemia Sekt holds the largest market share in this segment, with around 60%. Martin Fousek, marketing director at Bohemia Sekt, emphasized that non-alcoholic sparkling and still wines are becoming a standard offering in restaurants and bars, representing a year-round trend, not just a January/February phenomenon.
The stagnation of wine sales is also being noted by online retailers. František Brož from Košík.cz attributes this to both a shift away from alcohol among younger generations and the increasing availability of de-alcoholized options. He also observed a slight increase in sales of non-alcoholic sparkling and semi-sparkling wines during , coinciding with Valentine’s Day celebrations.
The trend towards reduced alcohol consumption isn’t necessarily indicative of consumers abandoning alcohol altogether, but rather a change in how and when This proves consumed. According to Hana Krevňáková, representing online retailer Rohlík, the share of beer and cider orders has fallen from around 20% in to approximately 12% in . However, she clarifies that customers are still choosing alcohol based on the occasion rather than automatically including it in every purchase.
The Czech Republic remains one of the countries with the highest per capita alcohol consumption globally, averaging 10 liters of ethanol per person annually, equivalent to approximately 22 grams per person per day, including children and the elderly. However, the current trends suggest a gradual but significant shift in drinking habits, driven by health consciousness, lifestyle changes, and the increasing availability of appealing non-alcoholic alternatives.