The world’s largest brewers saw their collective beer production slip slightly in 2024, highlighting shifting market dynamics and strategic recalibrations.

According to initial data from the BarthHaas Report 2024/2025, the top 40 brewing groups globally produced 1,639 million hectolitres of beer, down 0.6% from the previous year.

Despite this modest decline, the industry’s biggest players—AB InBev, Heineken, and China Resources Snow Breweries—continued to dominate, producing more than half of the total beer output of the top 40.

Strategically, major brewers shifted away from diversification and craft beer expansions to prioritise international flagship brands.

Significant reshuffles marked the rankings. Russia’s Baltika brewery returned prominently at 12th place after being nationalised, now operating independently from its former parent, Carlsberg.

Similarly, OPH United Breweries, formerly under Heineken’s umbrella, also emerged as a newcomer, landing at 24th place.

In our region, Thailand was the winner in terms of improved brewing output: Beer Thai (Chang) and Singha increased their brewing output in 2024 by 12.5% and 5.2% respectively.

A major play that BaathHaas’ report highlighted was Singaporean firm Tolaram buying a majority stake in Guinness Nigeria from Diageo in late 2024.

South Korea saw the most marked decline, with the country’s only brewer in the top 50 HiteJinro dropping brewing output by a whopping -9.7%, with continuing weak performance of their Kelly.

For smaller brewers, escalating raw material and energy costs have squeezed margins, leaving many unable to pass costs onto consumers, resulting in closures and mergers. This trend underscores broader market pressures reshaping the beer industry landscape worldwide.

BarthHaas’ full 2024/2025 report will be released on July 22, which Asia Brewers Network will cover in detail as we have in previous years.