Beer imports grow 55% and are the best-selling product in Bolivian neighborhoods

Beer knows no crisis. In 2023, beer imports in Bolivia reached a record level, when imported more than $35 million and increase volume by 55% in relation to 2022, reported the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade (IBCE), in its recent bulletin.

According to the IBCE, during 2023, beer imports increased in value 56% -compared to 2022- and 60,348 tons entered. “In five years (2019-2023), beer imports tripled and accumulated more than 100 million dollars in said period,” the entity mentioned.

The main beer suppliers were Brazil, with a participation of 79% on the total imported; followed by Mexico (20%) and Argentina (0.7%).

In 2023, the largest beer import volumes were recorded through Santa Cruz customs, amounting to more than 52 thousand tons and $28 million.

In 2011, the IBCE recorded an import of the alcoholic beverage for US$5 million in value, while in volume it was 7,395 tons. In 2012 imports almost quadrupled, reaching $us 17.4 million in value and 26,570 tons. In 2023 these values ​​doubled.

The company specialized in market research, SmartData SRL, in a report addressed to EL DEBER, specified that, despite having lowered the average ticket, close to Bs 20 in October 2023, to Bs 17 in March 2024 in the neighborhood stores in the main axis of the country, beer continues to be the best-selling product. The average ticket is the purchase value that a person makes each time they go to the store.

According to SmartData, from a set of 15 best-selling products between October and March, 7 are beers of different brands and presentations, most in cans. The best-selling brand is Paceña, followed by Huari, Quilmes, Conti, Corona in bottle, Ducal and Conti Zero Grau.

“Beer consumption skyrocketed in small formats, like the ‘little stick’, which they call the 269 ml can. In neighborhood stores you feel more and people do not skimp on alcohol,” said Diego Alabi, SmartData Project Manager.