The largest category within beer to decline was beer with alcohol levels above 5%, falling 27% year on year. The equivalent total volume of pure alcohol in all alcoholic beverages for consumption also fell, down 7.6%. Wine, however, has lost its second-place position, falling from 21% of total volume to 19% over the past 15 years. Consumers are clearly favouring moderation and sessionability.”Firth highlighted the cost impact of producing higher alcohol volume beer, noting it is materially greater because of New Zealand’s excise regime, which taxes beer on a volumetric alcohol basis. Yet over the same period, total beer excise revenue has remained broadly flat as volumes decline.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 25, 2026 07:01 UTC