Alcoholic beer market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in DR Congo began the period at 424.3 million liters in 2018, characterized by local production dominating over imports. The market contracted to 414.3 million liters in 2019, aligning with a reported multi-year downward trend in local brewing output that had been observed since 2014. A recovery followed in 2020, with the market volume rising to 433.9 million liters.

Sustained growth continued from 2021 to 2023, with the market reaching 477.4 million liters and then 493.8 million liters in 2022. This expansion in 2022 was supported by the launch of a new, affordable 50 cl format of Heineken beer by the local producer BRALIMA, an investment that broadened the product range and stimulated consumption. The market grew further to 523.6 million liters in 2023 amidst tighter regulations on the sale of high-strength alcoholic beverages, a measure that likely redirected some consumer demand toward beer.

In 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Trade enacted a temporary suspension on the import of beers and soft drinks, a measure aimed at supporting local production. Concurrently, BRALIMA introduced a new beer brand, 'Tiger', targeting young consumers with a competitive price point.

Production alcoholic beer in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, alcoholic beer production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo increased. In 2020, the country produced 430.0 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a moderate 4.9% rise compared to 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 410.0 million liters. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production fell by 5.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.9%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with a 7.9% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports alcoholic beer from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, K l

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 292-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the low in 2019. In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo exported 6,000 liters of alcoholic beer, a sharp increase of 493.3% from the previous year. Exports hit their minimum in 2019 at 1,000 liters. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a 95.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda was the dominant buyer of alcoholic beer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accounting for 90.1% of total exports in volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 14,000 US dollars, down 26.4% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 55,000 US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 70.4%, averaging an annual decline of 33.4%. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 64.6% decrease, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium and Burundi consistently made up 82.7% of total exports in value, showing a high concentration with many smaller markets making up the remainder.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Imports alcoholic beer to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, K l

Foreign alcoholic beer supplies to the Democratic Republic of the Congo fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 3,936,000 liters, a 7.8% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 93.6%, averaging an annual decline of 60.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands dominated imports of alcoholic beer to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in volume, taking 89.2% of total flows, while other countries held much smaller shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Alcoholic beer imports to the Democratic Republic of the Congo declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 4,306,000 US dollars, a significant 13.5% drop compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 27.4%, with an average annual decline of 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure in value terms was characterized by the Netherlands' dominance, which accounted for 71.0% of total flows, alongside numerous minor trading partners.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020