Suntory alcohol sales dip in H1 despite domestic success
Currency fluctuations and economic uncertainties, particularly in Europe and the US, have taken a toll on Suntory’s alcohol sales, down 2.4% in the first half of 2025.
Japanese drinks giant Suntory has posted a 2.4% fall in revenue excluding liquor tax for the group’s alcoholic beverages segment to ¥491.6 billion (US$3.3bn) during the first half of 2025.
Including liquor tax, the division was down by 1.8% to ¥652.5bn (US$4.42bn).
The latest results come six months after Suntory booked a 1% rise in annual sales in 2024.
Domestic sales proved relatively positive for the firm. However, tough trading conditions in the US and Europe have impacted its bottom line, particularly when it came to spirits.
Suntory noted that its beer business was on par with last year, while its wine revenue rose by 3% (excluding liquor tax) in H1.
In the domestic Japanese market, Suntory noted better year-on-year sales for beer, spirits and wine.
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Domestic volume sales of beer were in line with the same six-month period in 2024. Suntory Draft Beer saw a sharp rise, up 24% in volume terms, as did Perfect Suntory Beer, up 19%.
As for spirits, positive sales in Japan, China, India and the travel retail sector went some way towards offsetting sales declines in the US and Europe. Spirits sales for the firm declined overall, but the company did not disclose by how much.
The Japanese firm has increased investment into its RTD products in recent years – a decision which looks to be paying off.
The group saw a double-digit gain for its sugar-free -196 RTD range in Japan. It has also continued efforts to strengthen its RTD segment in the US and has introduced new variants for -196 and On The Rocks.
“Overseas, we focused on attracting new customers in the United States, which is the largest RTD market by expanding the distribution of ‐196 nationwide and launching new flavours, and introducing canned products for the On The Rocks brand,” said Masato Arishiro, managing executive officer of Suntory Holdings.
“In Australia, we began shipping RTDs in July at the Swanbank beverage facility, which was built through a partnership between our alcoholic beverages and soft drinks businesses.”
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