Alcoholic beer market in Burundi

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the alcoholic beer market volume in Burundi remained relatively stable, averaging around 237 M l, with a slight decline to 235.0 M l in 2020. During this period, BRARUDI launched new products like Viva Malt in 2018 and Viva Tangawizi in 2020, both made with 100% local ingredients, which helped sustain domestic production. A government decree in 2020 revised administrative structures, potentially affecting industrial policy indirectly.

Market volume dipped to 232.6 M l in 2021 but recovered to 240.9 M l in 2022. This recovery was supported by improved local raw material availability following 2021 laws that ratified funding agreements for agricultural development. In 2022, authorities closed numerous non-compliant artisanal beverage processing units across several provinces, tightening quality control, while reports indicated persistent shortages of some BRARUDI drinks due to strong domestic demand.

In 2023, market volume fell to 234.3 M l as a significant increase in exports, which reached 35.5 M l, offset higher production of 266.5 M l. For 2024, trade data shows exports remaining elevated at 33.4 M l, though full market volume data is not yet available.

Production alcoholic beer in Burundi

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, Burundi produced 240.0 million liters of alcoholic beer, showing little to no change from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 0.0% decrease, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Burundi

Exports in kind, K l

Burundi's alcoholic beer exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 6 752 thousand liters, marking a significant gain of 44.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 508 thousand liters, with the largest decline of 50.6% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the dominant destination for Burundi's alcoholic beer exports in kind, accounting for 92.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, alcoholic beer exports from Burundi increased. In 2020, exports totaled 4 641 thousand US dollars, reflecting a rise of 49.2% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 31.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 109 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline of 38.1% also occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo clearly led as the top buyer of alcoholic beer from Burundi in value terms, taking 96.2% of total exports.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Burundi

Imports in kind, K l

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, alcoholic beer deliveries to Burundi amounted to 1 758 thousand liters, representing a 46.5% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 288 thousand liters, with the largest increase of 71.9% also occurring in that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for imports in kind were the Netherlands, Uganda, and Rwanda, which together accounted for 88.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of alcoholic beer imports into Burundi increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Burundi imported 3 025 thousand US dollars worth of alcoholic beer, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 41.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (62.6% of imports in value terms), Uganda (12.3%), and Rwanda (10.7%) were the principal destinations for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 85.6% of total flows.

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

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