Beer production in United Kingdom
In 2023 United Kingdom produced 3.4 million t of beer, the 10th largest in the world (1.85% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 18%. The record was 6.7 million t in 1979.
The 2023 figure is from an external organisation.
- Production, 2023
- 3.4 million t
- World rank
- 10 of 164
- 10-year change
- −18%
- Record
- 6.7 million t
- 1979
Beer in United Kingdom, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
United Kingdom compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 1.8%
- 2.2% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −18%
- world −0.8%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Poland | 3,580,000 | 1.9% |
| 9 | South Africa | 3,510,000 | 1.9% |
| 10 | United Kingdom | 3,419,600 | 1.8% |
| 11 | Vietnam | 3,100,000 | 1.7% |
| 12 | India | 2,933,500 | 1.6% |
Map of world production of beer
Share of the world total; United Kingdom is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,419,600 | −8.9% |
| 2022 | 3,752,000 | −2.2% |
| 2021 | 3,838,200 | +19% |
| 2020 | 3,221,700 | −18% |
| 2019 | 3,924,700 | −3.6% |
| 2018 | 4,073,000 | +0.6% |
| 2017 | 4,048,000 | −7.4% |
| 2016 | 4,373,400 | −0.7% |
| 2015 | 4,405,400 | +6.9% |
| 2014 | 4,120,400 | −1.8% |
| 2013 | 4,195,600 | −2.3% |
| 2012 | 4,296,200 | −6.0% |
| 2011 | 4,569,400 | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 4,499,700 | −0.3% |
| 2009 | 4,514,100 | −8.7% |
| 2008 | 4,946,900 | −3.6% |
| 2007 | 5,134,100 | −4.5% |
| 2006 | 5,376,300 | −4.4% |
| 2005 | 5,625,500 | −2.1% |
| 2004 | 5,745,900 | −1.0% |
| 2003 | 5,801,400 | +2.4% |
| 2002 | 5,667,200 | −0.2% |
| 2001 | 5,680,200 | +2.8% |
| 2000 | 5,527,900 | −4.5% |
| 1999 | 5,785,400 | +2.1% |
| 1998 | 5,665,200 | −4.2% |
| 1997 | 5,913,900 | +1.8% |
| 1996 | 5,807,200 | +2.2% |
| 1995 | 5,680,000 | −2.6% |
| 1994 | 5,833,300 | +2.8% |
| 1993 | 5,674,600 | −1.5% |
| 1992 | 5,761,600 | −3.3% |
| 1991 | 5,955,200 | −3.6% |
| 1990 | 6,178,300 | −0.6% |
| 1989 | 6,213,200 | +0.4% |
| 1988 | 6,188,500 | +1.4% |
| 1987 | 6,101,000 | +1.8% |
| 1986 | 5,992,200 | +0.1% |
| 1985 | 5,988,000 | −1.3% |
| 1984 | 6,066,000 | −0.1% |
| 1983 | 6,071,600 | +1.6% |
| 1982 | 5,978,400 | −3.1% |
| 1981 | 6,171,600 | −4.8% |
| 1980 | 6,483,600 | −3.8% |
| 1979 | 6,741,600 | +1.5% |
| 1978 | 6,642,000 | +1.7% |
| 1977 | 6,530,000 | −0.5% |
| 1976 | 6,561,000 | +1.4% |
| 1975 | 6,471,000 | +2.5% |
| 1974 | 6,314,000 | +4.2% |
| 1973 | 6,058,200 | +4.9% |
| 1972 | 5,773,700 | +1.6% |
| 1971 | 5,685,000 | +3.1% |
| 1970 | 5,516,500 | +2.4% |
| 1969 | 5,386,100 | +4.7% |
| 1968 | 5,143,300 | +2.4% |
| 1967 | 5,021,000 | +1.5% |
| 1966 | 4,947,000 | +2.1% |
| 1965 | 4,844,200 | 0.0% |
| 1964 | 4,844,200 | +4.6% |
| 1963 | 4,631,600 | +1.4% |
| 1962 | 4,566,000 | +0.7% |
| 1961 | 4,533,300 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 436,380 t USD 611 m
- Exporter rank
- 8 of 149
- Imports
- 809,696 t USD 570 m
- Importer rank
- 3 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 United Kingdom?
United Kingdom produced 3.4 million t in 2023, 1.8% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does United Kingdom rank in the world for production of beer?
United Kingdom ranked 10th of 164 countries in 2023. The largest producer was China with 19.7% of the world total.
How has the production of beer in United Kingdom changed?
It fell by 18% between 2013 and 2023, compared with −0.8% for the world. The record was 6.7 million t in 1979.
Does United Kingdom export or import beer of barley, malted?
In 2024 United Kingdom reported exports of 436,380 t (USD 611 m) and imports of 809,696 t (USD 570 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 United Kingdom is from an external organisation. 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.