Turkey's Alcohol Sales Data Revealed: Rise in Expensive Liquor Sales Noted

Turkey's overall alcoholic beverage supply saw a notable decline in the first half of 2026, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The total domestic supply fell to 566.2 million liters, a 9.7% decrease from the same period in 2025 and a 5.1% drop from the first half of 2024.

The most significant factor in this overall decrease was a sharp decline in beer sales. Beer consumption dropped by 12.4% compared to the previous year, reaching 477.2 million liters in the first six months of 2026. This represents a decrease of 67.8 million liters, more than the total reduction in alcoholic beverage sales.

Conversely, sales of spirits like whiskey and rakı experienced substantial growth. Whiskey sales climbed 11.6% year-on-year to 17.82 million liters, marking a 28.3% increase over the first half of 2024. Rakı sales also rebounded strongly, rising 14.3% to 18.72 million liters, surpassing even their 2024 levels.

This divergence in sales trends, with cheaper beer losing ground to more expensive spirits, suggests a potential shift in income distribution within the country. Wine sales also saw a limited recovery, increasing by 3.9% to 30.04 million liters, though still below their 2024 figures.