Australia: Australians predicted to continue spending more on alcohol with beer leading the pack

Australians are predicted to continue spending more on alcohol despite consumption levels decreasing as new analysis suggests a shift away from beer, 7News.com.au reported on July 7.

Per capita spending is forecast to grow by 2.8 per cent annually between 2021 to 2025, despite individual consumption declining by an annual rate of 1.2 per cent, analysis by Fitch Solutions says.

The trend indicates consumers are "trading up" from high-volume/low-value drinks such as beer for more expensive competitors such as wine and spirits.

The average spend is predicted to grow from A$974 per person in 2021 to A$1116 in 2025, while consumption drops from 106.3 litres to 101.4 litres over the same time.

Beer is still predicted to lead the pack in total consumption figures (66 per cent) in 2025, with wine and spirits collectively making up just under 34 per cent.

This equates to an increase of just under one percentage point for vino and hard liquor combined, as ales and lagers drop as a result.

Previous analysis has shown a surge in sales of alcohol-free variants as zero per cent options of beer, wine and spirits flood the market.

07 July, 2021