Beer sales in Bolivia experienced strong volume growth in 2024, driven by a reduction in contraband and consumer migration from other alcoholic drinks. With the high exchange rate, the illegal market lost its price advantage, leading to a significant decline in smuggled beer across all segments - from premium to economy brands. As the cost of acquiring US dollars rose, smuggling became less profitable, prompting many informal operators to reduce their activity or exit the market altogether. Lega

The Bolivian market for cider/perry continued to see positive volume growth in 2024, albeit at a slower rate than the alcoholic drinks market as a whole. This is due to the fact that consumption is centred around the end-of-year holidays, peaking during Christmas and New Year. However, its affordable pricing makes cider widely accessible across all socioeconomic segments, making it a popular option for celebratory toasts during the festive season. Cider is also a staple in the “canastón” - a fes

The Bolivian wine market experienced modest volume growth in 2024, driven by a significant reduction in contraband. This decline was linked to ongoing economic challenges, which caused the parallel exchange rate to surge to over 50% above the official rate due to a shortage of US dollars in the market. As a result, prices rose across the board - including in the illegal market - particularly for wines smuggled from Argentina. This squeezed profit margins for contraband, making illegal trade far

Alcoholic drinks in Bolivia experienced robust volume growth in 2024, despite a challenging macroeconomic environment. The year was marked by a series of economic challenges that significantly impacted operational costs for many businesses, due to the persistent scarcity of US dollars in the country. This shortage led to widespread price hikes across multiple sectors, affecting domestic production - which depends heavily on imported materials - and raising the cost of imported goods. As a result

Spirits in Bolivia experienced healthy volume growth in 2024, despite rising prices, as a decline in contraband activity allowed legal brands to regain ground - particularly in widely consumed drinks like liqueurs. Price increases were a defining trend across the category, largely driven by the rising US dollar exchange rate. Since most spirits are imported, higher import costs directly impacted retail prices. While some consumers shifted towards more affordable options, such as beer, many conti

The market for RTDs Bolivia continued to register a positive performance in 2024. Local manufacturers have played a crucial role in fuelling volume growth by innovating with new flavours and packaging designs, particularly in canned presentations. Additionally, rising prices of spirits have encouraged many young consumers to opt for RTDs as a more affordable way to enjoy cocktail flavours conveniently and on the go, fuelling further expansion in this category.

The number of households is set to increase moderately, while the average household size will shrink in Bolivia over 2024-2029. Extended ("Other") households will remain the dominant household type but the fastest household expenditure growth is forecast to be recorded by single person households. In addition, the share of households living in urban areas is projected to expand to 70.8% by 2029.

2024 was a year of significant economic challenges for Bolivia. Net international reserves closed the year at USD1.974 billion, according to reports from the Central Bank of Bolivia, well below the USD15 billion recorded a decade ago. This decline was reflected in a severe shortage of foreign currency within the banking system, which limited the ability of importers of tobacco and e-vapour products to make payments, resulting in frequent supply disruptions and persistent stock shortages.

2024 was a difficult year for the licit cigarette market in Bolivia, with retail volume sales declining at a faster rate than in the previous year. On the one hand, the prevalence of smoking continues to fall steadily, with conventional cigarettes of little appeal to younger adults, who generally find them neither attractive nor modern. The economic environment also played a significant role, with inflation rising to its highest level in more than a decade during the year. One of the key drivers

In 2024, volume sales of cigars, cigarillos, and smoking tobacco declined at a significantly faster rate than in the previous year. These are niche products in Bolivia, with very limited distribution, typically confined to specialist tobacco retailers. Retail sales volumes remain low and are primarily driven by affluent urban consumers. Younger generations show little interest in these products, often associating their consumption with older, outdated behaviours. Additionally, the economic conte

The supply of smokeless tobacco products in Bolivia is virtually non-existent. Occasionally, small importers bring in very limited batches and small quantities of products such as chewing tobacco. In general, the few individuals who use chewing tobacco or moist snuff source the product from other countries due to its unavailability in the local market. There are also no significant sales of heated tobacco.

In 2024, bath and shower products saw increased sales in current value terms in Bolivia, driven primarily by price increases. The scarcity of US dollars in the economy has resulted in a parallel exchange rate up to 40% higher than the official rate, leading to a significant increase in the prices of imported goods. Bar soap continues as the largest category, with sales growing rapidly due to price hikes and a reduction in smuggling, leading to greater availability of legally imported products. A

Men’s grooming products posted solid growth in current value terms during 2024, supported by two key factors: a general rise in product prices and a notable decline in smuggling. The price hikes stem from Bolivia’s ongoing foreign currency shortage, which is driving up the cost of imported finished goods and raw materials for local production. These increases are being passed on to consumers. At the same time, higher US dollar exchange rates are shrinking profit margins for smugglers, reducing t

Hair care registered solid growth in current value terms in Bolivia during 2024. While higher prices played a role, the main driver was the steep drop in contraband products, especially in traditional retail channels. With consumers showing low tolerance for counterfeit or illegal options, and smuggled alternatives becoming less available due to rising US dollar prices, shoppers have increasingly turned to legal, branded products - boosting legitimate sales across the country.

The colour cosmetics market in Bolivia experienced modest growth in current value terms in 2024, primarily driven by rising prices. As a category dominated by imported products, it has been heavily affected by the increasing cost of foreign currency and high financial intermediation fees for international payments. These added costs have been passed on to the end consumer, impacting purchasing behaviour.

In 2024, Bolivia's skin care market experienced positive growth in current value terms, primarily driven by widespread price increases. The country’s economic challenges, particularly the scarcity of US dollars, have escalated costs of importing both raw materials and finished products. This situation has led to higher consumer prices for both locally produced and imported skin care items.?

In 2024, Bolivia's sun care market experienced significant growth, with current value sales bolstered by price increases. This surge can be largely attributed to heightened consumer awareness of sun protection, driven by climate change-induced increases in UV radiation. Consequently, consumers are more vigilant about using sun protection products to safeguard their skin.?

Beauty and personal care in Bolivia saw rapid growth in current value sales in 2024. This occurred in the context of significant macroeconomic challenges that increased operating costs for many companies. For example, the limited availability of US dollars, due to declining gas production, led to price rises across various product categories, affecting both local production and imports. For domestic manufacturers, the use of imported raw materials pushed up production expenditure while importers

Fragrances remained the largest category within beauty and personal care by value in 2024, with sales experiencing rapid growth. This expansion was largely driven by widespread price increases resulting from the ongoing shortage of foreign currency and elevated import costs - pressures that are ultimately passed onto consumers. Mass fragrances lead in terms of sales, supported by a broad portfolio of affordable brands, a strong presence in the direct selling channel, and a market for premium fra

Retail sales of depilatories in Bolivia saw growth in current value terms in 2024, largely due to widespread price increases across the category. With these products being imported, price hikes have had a significant impact, leading to a decline in consumption of higher-priced items. In response, consumers are shifting towards more affordable alternatives, including private labels and budget-friendly brands, while extending the lifecycle of their existing depilatories to manage costs.

The Bolivian market for baby and child-specific products experienced robust growth in current value terms in 2024. This was largely fuelled by inflationary pressures and a surge in consumer awareness about the importance of using specialised products for young children. With foreign currency in short supply, the parallel exchange rate surged to around 40% above the official rate, significantly increasing the cost of imported goods. Importers of both finished products and raw materials faced high

Oral care in Bolivia experienced remarkable growth in current value terms in 2024, primarily driven by rising prices. This inflation is linked to the country’s ongoing shortage of foreign currency, which has pushed up financial and import costs - particularly pertinent for a category in which most products are imported.

Sales of deodorant products in Bolivia saw strong current value growth in 2024, primarily driven by price hikes. The country faced a shortage of US dollars, which pushed the unofficial exchange rate up to 40% above the official rate. This disparity significantly increased the final price of imported goods, as importers of both finished products and raw materials faced higher costs. Additionally, banks increased transaction fees for foreign payments, further inflating local prices.

Mass beauty and personal care products experienced rapid growth in current value terms in Bolivia in 2024, largely driven by widespread price increases across the country. The ongoing scarcity of US dollars and the high fees incurred when paying suppliers have resulted in higher costs for businesses, which have been ultimately passed onto consumers. As a result, many individuals are migrating from premium products to more affordable alternatives. To meet these changing demands, mass players have