Islamabad 8 August: Rough estimates suggest that alcohol export from Pakistan could reach approximately $638 million by 2028, growing at an average annual rate of 2.8% from $534 million in 2023, though this forecast assumes stable market conditions.
The primary markets for Pakistan’s alcohol exports include the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, and the United Arab Emirates, with volumes often exceeding 500 million liters annually (e.g., 555.79 million liters in 2019 for alcohol solutions).
Much of this export is driven by industrial-grade ethanol, particularly anhydrous ethanol (99.97% pure), produced by distilleries linked to sugar mills, rather than consumable alcoholic beverages, due to strict domestic prohibition laws limiting production to non-Muslim markets and export.
Pakistan exported nearly $133 million worth of alcohol-based products to the Netherlands alone, with significant shipments to Spain, Italy, the Philippines, South Korea, and other global markets in 2023.
Domestically, Murree Brewery is the primary producer, while a number of distilleries historically focused on ethanol production from molasses, supplying both domestic and export markets.
Official data from the Excise and Taxation Department has revealed that 2,200 active alcohol permit holders were registered in the capital between July and December 2024.
The figures were disclosed in response to an information request filed under the Pakistan Information Commission .
The department’s reply states that licensed consumption in Islamabad is regulated through individual permits, as well as sales at select hotels and restaurants authorised to serve alcohol. Currently, three major establishments in the city hold such licences: Marriott Hotel, Serena Hotel, and Best Western Hotel.
While the detailed volume of beer purchased by licence holders from January 2023 onwards was not specified in the summary reply, the department confirmed that consignment data for each hotel is documented separately in an annex.
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Alcohol consumption and sale in Pakistan are heavily restricted under national laws, with permits typically issued to non-Muslims and certain hospitality businesses for regulated supply. The latest figures provide a rare official snapshot of legal liquor sales in the capital, where oversight is shared between excise authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Export Destinations of Alcohol (2023)
| Country / Region | Export Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | $133 million (27%) |
| Spain | $69 million (14.3%) |
| Italy | $40 million (8.3%) |
| Philippines | $28 million (5.9%) |
| South Korea | $26 million (5.5%) |
| Other Asian destinations | $25 million (5.2%) |
| France | $21 million (4.5%) |
| UAE | $20 million (4.2%) |
| United Kingdom | $13.9 million (2.9%) |
| Ghana | $12.4 million (2.6%) |
| Trend Economy |
These figures reflect Pakistan’s key export markets for ethyl alcohol and related products in 2023.
