Alcohol industry in Denmark - statistics & facts
In the Nordic countries, alcoholic beverages are only allowed to be sold in government-owned store chains. Denmark, although part of these countries, does not have comparable alcohol laws and the sale of alcoholic drinks is allowed in regular supermarkets and retailers.
Retail In recent years, the general average sales volume of pure alcohol consumed per person decreased in Denmark. As of 2023, the sales volume amounted to 7.5 liters per person. This overall declining trend was visible especially in beer and wine sales. By comparison, spirit sales volumes overall increased in the past years. The sales volume of beer fell from around 17.6 million liters in 2010 to approximately 16.5 million liters in 2023, while spirits sales grew from almost 6.6 million liters to roughly 8.2 million liters in the same period. The years 2021 and 2022 stood out in both cases with strong growth, before the values declined again in 2023 as before.
Carlsberg Group The global producer and seller of beer and other beverages Carlsberg was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, where it is still based. From 2012 to 2023, the company’s operating profit fluctuated, amounting to around 11.1 billion Danish kroner as of 2023. That year, the highest sales volume was generated in Asia, at 50 million hectoliters. In Western Europe, the volume was 43.4 million hectoliters and in Central and Eastern Europe, the Group sold the least of its beverages. In total, Carlsberg sold 101 million hectoliters of beer and 24.1 million hectoliters of other beverages in 2023.
Consumer spending The average household consumption expenditure on lager beer in Denmark was very high compared to spending on low and non-alcoholic beer. In 2022, consumers spent 960 Danish kroner on lager beer, while, on average, 57 Danish kroner were spent on low alcohol content and non-alcoholic beer. Additionally, Danish households spent 880 Danish kroner on spirits and liqueurs.
Retail In recent years, the general average sales volume of pure alcohol consumed per person decreased in Denmark. As of 2023, the sales volume amounted to 7.5 liters per person. This overall declining trend was visible especially in beer and wine sales. By comparison, spirit sales volumes overall increased in the past years. The sales volume of beer fell from around 17.6 million liters in 2010 to approximately 16.5 million liters in 2023, while spirits sales grew from almost 6.6 million liters to roughly 8.2 million liters in the same period. The years 2021 and 2022 stood out in both cases with strong growth, before the values declined again in 2023 as before.
Carlsberg Group The global producer and seller of beer and other beverages Carlsberg was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, where it is still based. From 2012 to 2023, the company’s operating profit fluctuated, amounting to around 11.1 billion Danish kroner as of 2023. That year, the highest sales volume was generated in Asia, at 50 million hectoliters. In Western Europe, the volume was 43.4 million hectoliters and in Central and Eastern Europe, the Group sold the least of its beverages. In total, Carlsberg sold 101 million hectoliters of beer and 24.1 million hectoliters of other beverages in 2023.
Consumer spending The average household consumption expenditure on lager beer in Denmark was very high compared to spending on low and non-alcoholic beer. In 2022, consumers spent 960 Danish kroner on lager beer, while, on average, 57 Danish kroner were spent on low alcohol content and non-alcoholic beer. Additionally, Danish households spent 880 Danish kroner on spirits and liqueurs.
