Alcoholic beer market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, Egypt's alcoholic beer market remained stable with annual production volumes around 120 million liters. This stability was supported by the dominant position of Al-Ahram Beverages, which held approximately 85% of the market, and the introduction of new products such as fruit-flavored variants under the high-strength Meister Max brand targeting younger consumers. However, the market operated under restrictive conditions including high customs duties on imports ranging from 1200% to 3000%.

In 2020, market volume fell sharply by 25% to 87.3 million liters. This decline was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted global supply chains and reduced consumption. Concurrently, the Egyptian Competition Authority confirmed that Al-Ahram Beverages had engaged in monopolistic practices within the distribution of alcoholic beverages.

From 2021 through 2024, production volumes stabilized at 90 million liters annually, but the market's value grew significantly, reaching 102.5 million US dollars in 2023. This increase in value was fueled by the implementation of a price hike of up to 40% on alcoholic beverages following the 2023 Finance Law, which introduced a 5% advance tax on distributor purchases. Consumer preferences also shifted towards premium and craft beverages, supporting higher expenditure.

Production alcoholic beer in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Egypt produced 90.0 million liters of alcoholic beer in 2020, representing a 25.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 5.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 120.0 million liters, with the largest year-on-year increase of 26.3% also occurring in that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, Egypt's alcoholic beer production experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 87.6 million US dollars, down by 28.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.2%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 122.0 million US dollars, while the largest increase of 26.3% was recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Egypt in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports alcoholic beer from Egypt

Exports in kind, K l

The market displayed notable volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a 3.5-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Egypt exported 2 852 thousand liters of alcoholic beer, which was 5.3% lower than in 2019. The maximum export volume was 3 012 thousand liters in 2019, and the largest increase of 169.7% was observed in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt's export structure in volume terms was highly concentrated, with Senegal alone accounting for 90.3% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated considerable volatility throughout these years. Export values fluctuated significantly, with a 3.6-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Egypt's alcoholic beer exports amounted to 2 776 thousand US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 9.4% compared to 2019. The peak export value was recorded in 2019 at 3 063 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase of 169.6% occurred in 2018.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Senegal served as the dominant market for Egypt's alcoholic beer exports in value terms, accounting for 90.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Egypt

Imports in kind, K l

The import market showed significant volatility over the observed timeframe. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020, while the highest was in 2019, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. Egypt imported 189 thousand liters of alcoholic beer in 2020, marking a sharp decline of 79.7% compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was 929 thousand liters in 2019, and the largest increase of 65.4% also occurred in that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (38.0% of import volume), Czechia (26.2%), and the United States (14.6%) were the leading sources of Egypt's alcoholic beer imports, together comprising 78.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this period. There was a 5.2-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2020. In 2020, Egypt's alcoholic beer imports were valued at 214 thousand US dollars, representing an 80.7% decline compared to the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 1 108 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 66.8% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (38.1% of import value), Czechia (26.2%), and the United States (14.6%) were the primary contributors to Egypt's alcoholic beer imports in monetary terms, jointly accounting for 78.8% of total import flows.

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

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