International Engagement

AIBA's global outlook

Connecting India's beer industry with the world

The All India Brewers Association actively engages with global brewing associations, international industry bodies, research institutions and allied organisations to exchange knowledge, share best practices and strengthen India's integration with the global beer industry.

Through collaborative dialogue, participation in international forums and engagement with global stakeholders, AIBA — in collaboration with government agencies like MoFPI and APEDA — seeks to promote innovation, sustainability, quality standards, responsible consumption initiatives and progressive policy perspectives. These partnerships support the development of India's beer sector while enhancing global understanding of the country's evolving market, regulatory environment and growth potential.

Global associations

Engagement with leading international brewing associations to share perspectives and adopt global best practices

Government coordination

Working with MoFPI and APEDA to advance India's brewing sector and its agricultural linkages in the global context

Knowledge exchange

Sharing India's regulatory context and market insights while learning from global standards on sustainability and quality

Approach to international engagement
AIBA’s international engagement is guided by the same principles that underpin all its activities — constructive dialogue, evidence-based positions and a long-term commitment to the responsible and progressive growth of India’s beer industry within the global context.

AIBA — International Engagement approach

Constructive participation:

Engaging in international forums and bodies as an active, contributing participant — not merely an observer — bringing India's perspective to global discussions

Mutual learning:

Adopting international best practices on sustainability, quality standards, responsible consumption and industry governance where they are applicable in the Indian context

Representing India's context:

Ensuring that global bodies understand India's unique regulatory, cultural and market environment — particularly the state-level excise framework and the distinct ABV profile of Indian beer

Government alignment:

All international engagement conducted in alignment with the priorities of relevant Indian government ministries and agencies, particularly MoFPI and APEDA

Global brewing associations

International partnerships

Engagement with global brewing bodies

AIBA engages with leading global brewing associations and industry bodies to participate in international policy dialogue, share India's market perspective and adopt global best practices across sustainability, quality and responsible consumption. The specific associations and forums AIBA engages with are listed below — AIBA team to confirm and expand this list with current partnerships.

The Brewers of Europe

European brewing industry body

Europe's principal brewing association representing brewers across EU member states — a key reference for regulatory best practices and sustainability standards

Global Beer & Cider Forum

International industry forum

International forum facilitating knowledge exchange on global beer market trends, responsible consumption initiatives and sustainability standards across the brewing industry

Asia-Pacific Brewing associations

Regional collaboration

Engagement with Asia-Pacific brewing associations on regional market trends, regulatory developments and shared advocacy positions particularly relevant to emerging beer markets

Government body coordination

Indian government coordination

Working with government agencies on the global stage

AIBA coordinates closely with key Indian government agencies on matters that sit at the intersection of the domestic brewing industry and its international context — including agricultural exports, food processing sector development and India's positioning in the global alcoholic beverage market.

Mo FPI

Ministry of Food Processing Industries

Government of India

AIBA engages with MoFPI on positioning the brewing sector within India's food and agro-processing industry framework. This includes advocating for recognition of brewing as an agro-processing activity, accessing government schemes applicable to the food processing sector, and contributing to the ministry's broader vision for India's food industry. AIBA also presents the case for beer and the Beer Board framework through this channel.

APEDA

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority

Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India

AIBA collaborates with APEDA on agricultural linkages — particularly barley cultivation and malt manufacturing — and on the promotion of Indian brewing industry's agricultural contribution. APEDA coordination supports the industry's connection to India's agro-export ecosystem and enhances global understanding of India's brewing inputs and supply chain.

AIBA’s coordination with MoFPI and APEDA is conducted in a constructive, collaborative spirit — contributing the industry’s perspective to government-led initiatives while supporting the broader national goals of agricultural development, food processing sector growth and India’s global economic positioning.

International forums and events

Global industry conferences

Participation in major international brewing industry conferences and trade events to represent India's perspective, build relationships with global counterparts and stay current on global market and regulatory developments

Policy and regulatory forums

Engagement in international forums on alcohol regulation, taxation policy, responsible consumption standards and sustainability frameworks — contributing India's experience to global discussions and learning from international approaches

Sustainability summits

Participation in international sustainability forums relevant to the brewing industry — including water stewardship, circular economy, carbon reduction and responsible sourcing — to align Indian brewing practices with global standards

Bilateral industry meetings

One-to-one engagement with brewing associations and industry bodies from specific countries — particularly those with significant experience in areas such as progressive alcohol regulation, sustainable brewing and responsible consumption advocacy

Knowledge exchange

What AIBA learns and shares

A two-way flow of industry knowledge

Knowledge exchange with global peers is central to AIBA's international engagement. The association both contributes insights from India's unique market context and draws on international experience to inform its advocacy, sustainability initiatives and industry standards work in India.

What AIBA contributes globally

India's state-level excise framework and its impact on beer market development

The consumer shift from hard liquor to moderate-ABV beverages in a fast-growing emerging market

Agricultural linkages between barley cultivation and the brewing industry in an agro-developing economy

India's responsible consumption challenges in a diverse, multi-regulatory environment

What AIBA learns globally

Progressive regulatory models from markets where beer is taxed rationally relative to other alcohol categories

International sustainability standards and best practices — water, energy, packaging, carbon reduction

Global responsible consumption frameworks and evidence on the effectiveness of different awareness approaches

Innovation in brewing technology, product development and quality standards applicable to India's growing market

India on the global stage

India's global position

A rising force in the global beer market

India is the fourth largest beer consumer in the Asia-Pacific region by volume and one of the most promising emerging beer markets globally. With a young, urbanising population, rising disposable incomes and a per capita consumption of approximately 2 litres annually — among the lowest in Asia — the growth runway is significant.

AIBA's international engagement helps position India accurately in global industry discussions — as a high-potential market with a complex regulatory environment that is evolving, and as a responsible industry committed to sustainable and ethical growth.

4th

Largest beer consumer in Asia-Pacific by volume

~2L

Per capita consumption per year — significant growth potential

6–9%

CAGR in recent years — one of the fastest growing beer markets globally

India's unique market context for global peers

India's beer market is characterised by 28+ different state-level regulatory frameworks, a taxation structure that does not yet distinguish beer from higher-ABV spirits, and a historic dominance of strong lager (8% ABV) driven by cost-of-intoxication dynamics. Understanding this context is essential for any global body seeking to engage with or learn from India's beer industry experience. AIBA serves as the authoritative guide to this context for international stakeholders.

Emerging market dynamics
State-level regulatory complexity
Barley agriculture linkage
Strong lager dominance
Premiumisation trends
Young consumer base
Collaborate with AIBA

International collaboration

Engage with India's beer industry through AIBA

AIBA welcomes engagement from global brewing associations, international industry bodies, research institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders seeking to connect with India's beer sector. Whether for knowledge exchange, joint research, participation in Indian industry events or policy dialogue — AIBA is the appropriate first point of contact.

Interested in engaging with AIBA internationally?

Contact the AIBA Secretariat to explore partnership, collaboration or knowledge exchange opportunities

For international associations

AIBA can facilitate introductions to its member companies, arrange participation in Indian industry events, provide market data and insights, and engage on joint advocacy or research initiatives of mutual interest to the global brewing industry

For government agencies and researchers

AIBA can provide authoritative data on India's beer market, facilitate access to member companies for research purposes, and engage on policy dialogue that touches on India's regulatory environment, agricultural linkages or sustainability practices