In 2023, the alcoholic drinks in Kuwait has been shaped by geopolitical dynamics, influencing consumer preferences. Conscious buying has surged, with a focus on local and Middle Eastern brands, fostering a sense of ethical satisfaction and peer approval.
In 2023, Kuwait's alcoholic beverage landscape has been notably influenced by emerging geopolitical trends. Towards the end of the year, consumer behaviour shifted significantly, driven by heightened awareness and sensitivity to the brands they support.
Alcohol consumption and sales have been banned in Kuwait since 1964, including sales via international hotels. The consumption of alcohol has been a criminal offence since 1983, with potential punishment including fines and imprisonment alongside deportation for non-Kuwaitis.
There is a huge divide between the wealthiest Kuwaiti households, who reside in very well-appointed expensive villas and who often own several luxury cars, and the poorest foreign workers, who can subsist on incomes as low as KWD80 per month. Additionally, Kuwait offers subsidised housing to all Kuwaiti citizens who are married, employed and who do not own their own home, as well as subsidised petrol, foodstuffs, utilities and healthcare.
Kuwait is a compact country with an extensive and well-maintained road network and high levels of urbanisation, with virtually the entire population of the country living in urban areas in 2023. Modern grocery retailing is very well-developed in the country, with consumers therefore having easy access to non-alcoholic beer.
Alcohol is completely banned in Kuwait, with the government having no need to define a legal purchasing age or legal drinking age. There are no age limits set on the consumption of non-alcoholic beer, the only product area within alcoholic drinks that is legally available.
The effective import tariff for malt beer is 5% for foreign countries and 0% for neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This tariff structure explains why Barbican and Moussy, produced in these neighbouring countries, are the cheapest malt beers compared to other brands.
Over the forecast period, the on-trade volume sales of non-alcoholic beer are expected to rise, particularly in growing Middle Eastern cafés targeting foreign consumers, such as Lebanese, Jordanians, and Syrian males. These consumers, often gathered for social activities like playing cards, smoking shisha, or simply enjoying a malt beer, contribute significantly to the demand in these venues.
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Alcoholic Drinks
Alcoholic drinks is the aggregation of beer, wine, spirits, cider/perry and RTDs.
See All of Our DefinitionsThis report originates from Passport, our Alcoholic Drinks research and analysis database.
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