Market overview
The global mead beverages market is worth USD 682 mn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 1.3 bn by 2036, growing at a 6.8% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Traditional mead is the largest by type segment.
| Scope | Honey-based fermented alcoholic drinks (mead and melomel) in still, sparkling and canned formats sold through retail, bars and tasting rooms. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 640 mn |
| Value 2026 | USD 682 mn |
| Value 2036 | USD 1.3 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 6.8% |
| Volume 2026 | 33.4 million litres |
| Volume 2036 | 52.9 million litres |
| Average price 2026 | USD 20.4 per litre |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Mead Beverages market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 681.6 mn |
| 2027 | USD 727.9 mn |
| 2028 | USD 777.4 mn |
| 2029 | USD 830.3 mn |
| 2030 | USD 886.8 mn |
| 2031 | USD 947.1 mn |
| 2032 | USD 1.01 bn |
| 2033 | USD 1.08 bn |
| 2034 | USD 1.15 bn |
| 2035 | USD 1.23 bn |
| 2036 | USD 1.32 bn |
Mead Beverages market segmentation
By type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional mead | 52.0% | 45.0% | USD 354 mn | 5.3% |
| Fruit mead (melomel) | 28.0% | 30.6% | USD 191 mn | 7.8% |
| Spiced and hopped mead | 9.0% | 8.6% | USD 61 mn | 6.3% |
| Canned session mead | 11.0% | 15.8% | USD 75 mn | 10.8% |
By distribution
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-trade retail | 58.0% | 56.6% | USD 395 mn | 6.5% |
| On-trade bars and restaurants | 20.0% | 18.6% | USD 136 mn | 6.0% |
| Direct and tasting rooms | 22.0% | 24.7% | USD 150 mn | 8.1% |
By alcohol content
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (below 8 percent) | 22.0% | 24.0% | USD 150 mn | 7.7% |
| Standard (8 to 14 percent) | 56.0% | 54.0% | USD 382 mn | 6.4% |
| Strong (above 14 percent) | 22.0% | 22.0% | USD 150 mn | 6.8% |
By sweetness
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 24.0% | 24.0% | USD 164 mn | 6.8% |
| Semi-sweet | 38.0% | 37.0% | USD 259 mn | 6.5% |
| Sweet | 38.0% | 39.0% | USD 259 mn | 7.1% |
By packaging
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass bottles | 70.0% | 65.0% | USD 477 mn | 6.0% |
| Cans | 16.0% | 20.0% | USD 109 mn | 9.2% |
| Kegs and draught | 14.0% | 15.0% | USD 95 mn | 7.5% |
Top 25 countries for mead beverages by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 84.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 95.8%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 245 mn | 36.0% | USD 513 mn | 7.7% |
| 2 | Poland | USD 82 mn | 12.0% | USD 142 mn | 5.7% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | USD 61 mn | 9.0% | USD 112 mn | 6.2% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 41 mn | 6.0% | USD 71 mn | 5.7% |
| 5 | Canada | USD 34 mn | 5.0% | USD 68 mn | 7.2% |
| 6 | Lithuania | USD 27 mn | 4.0% | USD 47 mn | 5.7% |
| 7 | Sweden | USD 24 mn | 3.5% | USD 41 mn | 5.5% |
| 8 | Denmark | USD 20 mn | 3.0% | USD 36 mn | 5.7% |
| 9 | Australia | USD 20 mn | 3.0% | USD 41 mn | 7.2% |
| 10 | France | USD 17 mn | 2.5% | USD 32 mn | 6.4% |
| 11 | Ireland | USD 13 mn | 1.9% | USD 25 mn | 7.1% |
| 12 | Netherlands | USD 8.9 mn | 1.3% | USD 18 mn | 7.0% |
| 13 | Belgium | USD 7.3 mn | 1.1% | USD 14 mn | 7.0% |
| 14 | Norway | USD 6.3 mn | 0.9% | USD 12 mn | 7.1% |
| 15 | Finland | USD 5.7 mn | 0.8% | USD 11 mn | 7.0% |
| 16 | Estonia | USD 5.1 mn | 0.8% | USD 10 mn | 7.1% |
| 17 | Latvia | USD 4.8 mn | 0.7% | USD 9.5 mn | 7.1% |
| 18 | Czech Republic | USD 4.4 mn | 0.7% | USD 8.8 mn | 7.1% |
| 19 | Ukraine | USD 4.2 mn | 0.6% | USD 7.1 mn | 5.3% |
| 20 | Russia | USD 4.0 mn | 0.6% | USD 6.8 mn | 5.6% |
| 21 | Ethiopia | USD 3.8 mn | 0.6% | USD 7.5 mn | 7.0% |
| 22 | New Zealand | USD 3.6 mn | 0.5% | USD 7.2 mn | 7.2% |
| 23 | Spain | USD 3.5 mn | 0.5% | USD 7.0 mn | 7.2% |
| 24 | Italy | USD 3.3 mn | 0.5% | USD 6.7 mn | 7.2% |
| 25 | Austria | USD 3.3 mn | 0.5% | USD 6.5 mn | 7.0% |
| Rest of world | USD 28 mn | 4.2% | USD 55 mn | 6.9% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Lyme Bay Winery
- Redstone Meadery
- B. Nektar Meadery
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Dansk Mjod
- Superstition Meadery
- Brothers Drake Meadery
- Meridian Hive Meadery
- Groennfell Meadery
- Rabbit's Foot Meadery
- Sap House Meadery
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Moonlight Meadery
- Schramm's Mead
- Maine Mead Works
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the mead beverages market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 6.8% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by type, by distribution, by alcohol content, by sweetness, by packaging. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the mead beverages market?
The global mead beverages market is estimated at USD 640 mn in 2025 and USD 682 mn in 2026.
How fast will the mead beverages market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 1.3 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% from 2026, an increase of USD 634 mn.
Which country is the largest market for mead beverages?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 245 mn in 2026, 36.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 57.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, United States is growing fastest at 7.7% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which mead beverages segment is largest?
In the by type split, Traditional mead is the largest segment with 52.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading mead beverages companies?
Global leaders include Lyme Bay Winery, Redstone Meadery, B. Nektar Meadery.
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