Central Asia Is Becoming the Main Growth Driver of the Beverage Market
Rapid population growth and a young consumer base are making Central Asia one of the most promising beverage markets in Eurasia. This conclusion was presented by Dmitry Dokin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shin-Line Group and the CU retail chain, during his presentation at the DRINKCONF 2026 conference in Moscow.
According to the forecast presented at the conference, the population of Central Asian countries will equal Russia’s population by 2075. While around 75 million people currently live in the region, this figure could reach 140 million by the end of the century, while Russia’s population is expected to continue declining.
At the same time, the countries of the region have significantly younger populations. The average age is 29.3 years in Uzbekistan, 32.3 years in Kazakhstan, and 28.1 years in Kyrgyzstan, compared with 40.4 years in Russia. Younger consumers are more willing to adopt new flavors, packaging formats, and innovative products.
Population growth is another important factor. Between 2000 and 2025, Uzbekistan’s population increased by 61%, Kyrgyzstan’s by 59%, and Kazakhstan’s by 36%. These demographic changes are creating long-term potential for the consumer goods market, including beverages.
According to Dmitry Dokin, manufacturers already need to take the region’s specific characteristics into account, including the younger age of consumers, different distribution channels, the development of modern retail, and the particular features of local demand. Halal certification also remains important for a number of markets in the region.
