Operating income was $1.93 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of approximately $23.1 million, or 1.2% lower than operating income of $1.95 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased to 25.8% for the year ended December 31, 2024 from 27.4% for the year ended December 31, 2023. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased primarily due to the Alcohol Impairment Charges partially offset by an increase in gross profit.
Operating income was $536.3 million and $409.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, for our operations in EMEA, Asia Pacific (including Oceania), Latin America and the Caribbean.
Operating income for the Monster Energy® Drinks segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $2.46 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of approximately $123.7 million, or 5.3% higher than operating income of $2.34 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in operating income for the Monster Energy® Drinks segment was primarily the result of a $233.4 million increase in gross profit.
Operating income for the Strategic Brands segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $233.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of approximately $26.6 million, or 12.8% higher than operating income of $207.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in operating income for the Strategic Brands segment was primarily the result of a $35.5 million increase in gross profit.
Operating loss for the Alcohol Brands segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $200.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of approximately $119.2 million, or 146.9% higher than operating loss of $81.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in the operating loss for the Alcohol Brands segment for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily the result of the Alcohol Impairment Charges.
Operating income for the Other segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of approximately $1.1 million, or 30.4% higher than operating income of $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in operating income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily the result of the increase in gross profit.