Beverage industry in Thailand - statistics & facts
With nearly four-fifths of its production consumed in Thailand, the Thai beverage industry is domestically centered. The demand for beverages gradually recovered post-pandemic, given the inflated cost of living, slow global economy, and the repercussions of the ongoing wars. In 2022, the beverage industry grew by nearly three percent, ranking second among the consumer goods with the highest growth rates. In the upcoming years, the overall trading of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages may increase slightly as the local market thrives despite the hiccups in exports.
The local production and sales of beverages in Thailand
Thailand’s manufacturing of beverages is across the board, fulfilling nearly all its domestic demand. In 2022, the Department of Industrial Works registered nearly 400 beverage factories in Thailand, of which around 16 percent made alcoholic drinks. Most of the beverages are produced in the central region. However, the importance of the two drink categories for domestic consumption is relative as alcoholic beverages lead in value, while non-alcoholic beverages lead in volume. Among non-alcoholic drinks, the production and consumption volume of purified and mineral bottled water ranked the highest. This came as no surprise since drinking tap water is not common among Thais. On the other hand, the sales value of carbonated drinks surpassed water by nearly half. Among alcoholic beverages, beer dominated the market by both volume and value.The leading distribution channels for beverages in Thailand are local retailers. Recently, online platforms have also become popular among beverage consumers. In 2023, e-commerce spending on beverages amounted to approximately 1.5 billion U.S. dollars. The leading export destinations for Thai beverages include Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
