Beer production in North Korea
In 2023 North Korea produced 40,418 t of beer, the 117th largest in the world (0.02% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 22%. The record was 176,800 t in 1963.
The 2023 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 40,418 t
- World rank
- 117 of 164
- 10-year change
- +22%
- Record
- 176,800 t
- 1963
Beer in North Korea, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
North Korea compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.02%
- 0.02% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +22%
- world −0.8%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | Mauritius | 48,534 | 0.03% |
| 116 | Jamaica | 40,900 | 0.02% |
| 117 | North Korea | 40,418 | 0.02% |
| 118 | Lesotho | 39,619 | 0.02% |
| 119 | Cyprus | 37,765 | 0.02% |
Map of world production of beer
Share of the world total; North Korea is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 40,418 | −1.2% |
| 2022 | 40,929 | +0.4% |
| 2021 | 40,781 | +11% |
| 2020 | 36,628 | −2.4% |
| 2019 | 37,534 | −1.3% |
| 2018 | 38,035 | −0.7% |
| 2017 | 38,293 | +4.7% |
| 2016 | 36,559 | +6.4% |
| 2015 | 34,372 | −1.8% |
| 2014 | 35,000 | +6.1% |
| 2013 | 32,996 | −1.6% |
| 2012 | 33,522 | +2.4% |
| 2011 | 32,721 | +10% |
| 2010 | 29,620 | −44% |
| 2009 | 53,216 | +7.8% |
| 2008 | 49,368 | −17% |
| 2007 | 59,728 | −9.0% |
| 2006 | 65,624 | +11% |
| 2005 | 58,988 | −0.8% |
| 2004 | 59,475 | −6.3% |
| 2003 | 63,479 | +8.1% |
| 2002 | 58,734 | −2.6% |
| 2001 | 60,320 | −11% |
| 2000 | 67,470 | +22% |
| 1999 | 55,250 | −28% |
| 1998 | 77,090 | −16% |
| 1997 | 92,235 | −27% |
| 1996 | 126,815 | −13% |
| 1995 | 145,015 | +7.3% |
| 1994 | 135,102 | +55% |
| 1993 | 87,360 | −17% |
| 1992 | 105,248 | +1.2% |
| 1991 | 104,000 | −7.4% |
| 1990 | 112,320 | +8.0% |
| 1989 | 104,000 | −7.4% |
| 1988 | 112,320 | +0.9% |
| 1987 | 111,280 | +1.9% |
| 1986 | 109,200 | +2.9% |
| 1985 | 106,080 | +2.0% |
| 1984 | 104,000 | +5.3% |
| 1983 | 98,800 | −5.0% |
| 1982 | 104,000 | 0.0% |
| 1981 | 104,000 | −14% |
| 1980 | 120,900 | +5.7% |
| 1979 | 114,400 | +4.8% |
| 1978 | 109,200 | +11% |
| 1977 | 98,800 | 0.0% |
| 1976 | 98,800 | −5.0% |
| 1975 | 104,000 | −4.8% |
| 1974 | 109,200 | +5.0% |
| 1973 | 104,000 | +18% |
| 1972 | 88,400 | −3.4% |
| 1971 | 91,520 | +10% |
| 1970 | 83,200 | +2.6% |
| 1969 | 81,120 | −8.2% |
| 1968 | 88,400 | −11% |
| 1967 | 98,800 | −21% |
| 1966 | 124,800 | −14% |
| 1965 | 145,600 | −9.1% |
| 1964 | 160,160 | −9.4% |
| 1963 | 176,800 | +7.6% |
| 1962 | 164,320 | −1.3% |
| 1961 | 166,400 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 543 t USD 211,000
- Exporter rank
- 102 of 149
- Imports
- 3,105 t USD 1.4 m
- Importer rank
- 131 of 192
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of beer in North Korea?
North Korea produced 40,418 t in 2023, 0.02% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does North Korea rank in the world for production of beer?
North Korea ranked 117th of 164 countries in 2023. The largest producer was China with 19.7% of the world total.
How has the production of beer in North Korea changed?
It rose by 22% between 2013 and 2023, compared with −0.8% for the world. The record was 176,800 t in 1963.
Does North Korea export or import beer of barley, malted?
In 2024 North Korea reported exports of 543 t (USD 211,000) and imports of 3,105 t (USD 1.4 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2023 figure for North Korea is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.