Saudi Arabia Whiskey Market

Saudi Arabia Whiskey Market Overview:

The Saudi Arabia whiskey market size reached USD 1070.4 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 1778 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.80% during 2025-2033. The market is growing significantly due to the escalating luxury goods consumption, the booming tourism and hospitality sector, and evolving consumer preferences towards international beverages.  The increasing influence of global cultures, rising disposable incomes, and innovative product offerings is further fostering the market expansion across the country.

Saudi Arabia Whiskey Market Trends:

Expanding Luxury Goods Market

As Saudi Arabia actively works to diversify its economy under the Vision 2030 initiative, a notable increase in the consumption of luxury and premium goods is being observed. Despite the country's prohibition of alcohol, an underground market exists for premium items, including whiskey. Additionally, affluent youth are showing growing interest in upscale lifestyle products, such as imported spirits. In May 2024, there is a noticeable trend of Saudi consumers shifting from traditional sodas to locally crafted premium beverages with superior quality. Events like the Saudi Food Show in Riyadh, featuring over 1,000 exhibitors from 97 countries, highlight food and beverage innovations, including artisanal non-alcoholic spirits and premium mocktails, aimed at appealing to the younger generation’s taste for international-style drinks. This trend underscores a shift where young individuals are drawn to refined beverages while upholding cultural norms that discourage alcohol consumption.

Rapid Growth of the Tourism and Hospitality Sector

As a part of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification, the government is heavily investing in the tourism and hospitality sector, aiming to attract international visitors through initiatives like the Saudi Vision 2030 and the introduction of the tourist visa. For instance, according to the UNWTO, during the first seven months of 2024, Saudi Arabia led G20 nations in tourism growth with a 73% increase in international arrivals, highlighting its growing global appeal. Additionally, as Saudi Arabia’s tourism infrastructure expands, it increasingly caters to international visitors who bring their preferences, including alcoholic beverages such as whiskey. This surge in tourism is expected to continue, significantly driving the demand for premium and luxury beverages in select venues​.

Evolving Consumer Behavior and Preferences

Despite the ban on alcoholic beverages, Saudi Arabia is witnessing a subtle shift in consumer attitudes toward global trends in food and beverage consumption. Increasing exposure to global media, international travel, and the rise of social media have fueled the curiosity and demand for international spirits. For instance, as per industry reports, approximately 35.33 million individuals in Saudi Arabia maintain social media accounts in 2024, representing about 94.30% of the total population. Moreover, many Saudis, especially younger, more globally connected individuals, are showing interest in premium alcoholic beverages. For instance, in May 2024, Constellation Brands reported  growing demand for spirits in Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, driven by international cocktail culture. With the expanding hospitality and Saudi Arabia's first alcohol store, the company is focusing on on-premise consumer engagement. Consequently,  the influence of global trends and changing consumer preferences is driving whiskey consumption despite the legal restrictions on alcohol within the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia Whiskey Market News:

• In January 2024, Saudi Arabia announced the opening of its first government-run liquor store in the diplomatic district, marking a shift in its strict alcohol prohibition. Sales will be limited to non-Muslim diplomats, who must register via a mobile app and adhere to imposed quotas.

Saudi Arabia Whiskey Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country level for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, quality, and distribution channel.

Product Type Insights:

• American Whiskey
• Irish Whiskey
• Scotch Whiskey
• Canadian Whiskey
• Others
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes american whiskey, irish whiskey, scotch whiskey, canadian whiskey, and others.

Quality Insights:

• Premium
• High-End Premium
• Super Premium
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the quality have also been provided in the report. This includes premium, high-end premium, and super premium.

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Online
• Offline
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel. This includes online and offline.

Regional Insights:

• Northern and Central Region
• Western Region
• Eastern Region
• Southern Region
   

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Northern and Central Region, Western Region, Eastern Region, and Southern Region.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

Saudi Arabia Whiskey Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the Saudi Arabia whiskey market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the Saudi Arabia whiskey market?
• What is the breakup of the Saudi Arabia whiskey market on the basis of product type?
• What is the breakup of the Saudi Arabia whiskey market on the basis of quality?
• What is the breakup of the Saudi Arabia whiskey market on the basis of distribution channel?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the Saudi Arabia whiskey market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the Saudi Arabia whiskey?
• What is the structure of the Saudi Arabia whiskey market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the Saudi Arabia whiskey market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Saudi Arabia whiskey market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Saudi Arabia whiskey market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Saudi Arabia whiskey industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.