Alcoholic beer market in Benin

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in Benin expanded from 118.5 million liters in 2018 to 133.0 million liters in 2020, despite a slight contraction in 2019. This growth was supported by the state-owned brewer SOBEBRA and its award-winning brand La Béninoise, which reinforced domestic demand. Concurrently, rising export prices for Beninese beer, reaching $0.55 per kg in 2020, encouraged higher production volumes and contributed to the market's recovery.

Market volume peaked at 141.4 million liters in 2021 and then stabilized around 138 million liters through 2023. Continued increases in export prices, up to $0.65 per kg by 2022, along with further gold medals for La Béninoise, helped maintain steady production at 131 million liters. While African beer industry output hit a record in 2023, Benin's market saw a gradual decline in imports, leading to a slight overall reduction in volume despite stable local output.

In 2024, the Beninese government banned the production, import, and distribution of alcoholic beverages in plastic sachets to improve traceability and curb youth alcoholism. This regulatory shift is expected to alter packaging practices and product availability in the market.

Production alcoholic beer in Benin

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, Benin produced 121.5 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a 15.7% increase compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 105.0 million liters. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Benin in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports alcoholic beer from Benin

Exports in kind, K l

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the observed period. In 2020, Benin exported 2,063 thousand liters of alcoholic beer, a significant increase of 219.9% from the year before. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at just 3 thousand liters. Exports fluctuated dramatically, with a 756-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018. The largest decline happened in 2018, falling by 97.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, soaring by 23,517.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, exports of alcoholic beer from Benin were almost entirely directed to Niger, which accounted for 95.4% of the total export volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility during this period. In 2020, foreign alcoholic beer supplies from Benin amounted to 1,102 thousand US dollars, representing a 229.9% increase year-over-year. The lowest value was observed in 2018 at 3 thousand US dollars. The highest value occurred in 2020, while the lowest was in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 374 times. The largest decline took place in 2018, dropping by 98.8%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 11,240.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Niger and Nigeria were the primary destinations for Benin's exports in value terms, together making up 99.9% of the total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Benin in value, 2017-2020

Imports alcoholic beer to Benin

Imports in kind, K l

In 2020, Benin imported 13,536 thousand liters of alcoholic beer, showing a sharp increase of 30.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 90%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 23.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 13.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 68.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Between 2017 and 2020, Togo was the key supplier of alcoholic beer to Benin, accounting for 77.7% of total imports in kind, with the remainder coming from a diverse group of other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Alcoholic beer imports into Benin increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Benin imported 7,127 thousand US dollars worth of alcoholic beer, up by 53.6% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 135.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 33.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017 to 2020, the import structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on Togo, which held a 72.3% share of total flows, while other partners accounted for the remaining volume.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Benin in value, 2017-2020