Beer in Sweden

PROSPECTS

Sales of organic beer continue to increase in 2018, although future sales might be jeopardised

Volume sales of organic beer increased from 14 million litres in 2017 to 16.5 million litres in 2018 through the Swedish monopoly retailer Systembolaget, which corresponds to a year-on-year increase of 17%.

After the craft beer boom of the review period, future sales are expected to grow more moderately

Sales of craft beer were increasing strongly over the review period, driven by increasing interest in speciality and hand-crafted beer products. Craft beer has been largely synonymous with ale in Sweden, with ale recording strong total volume sales growth over the review period, before declining for the first time in 2018, when focus turned to sour beer, covered under weissbier/weizen/wheat beer.

Non-alcoholic beer continues to be the fastest-growing beer category in 2018

In terms of total volume sales, the fastest-growing beer category was non-alcoholic beer in 2018. Sales were driven by more Swedes than ever paying special attention to what they eat and drink and opting to consume less harmful products.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Spendrups Bryggeri becomes the leading player in 2018

The Swedish family-owned Spendrups Bryggeri became the leading player in beer in 2018, taking over the top spot from Carlsberg Sverige by a small margin. Spendrups Bryggeri increased its sales through Systembolaget and strengthened its position in the on-trade.

Sales of private label beer are limited to a couple of retail chains

There was an increase in sales of private label beer, which is available only outside of the Systembolaget network in the retail channel. Private label beer is only sold by major retail chains, as it would contradict its own policy for Systembolaget to sell such products.

Files are delivered directly into your account within a few minutes of purchase.