Alcoholic beer market in Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in Eswatini displayed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume grew to 45.6 million litres in 2019 but then contracted sharply to 29.1 million litres in 2020. A recovery phase followed, lifting the market to 41.3 million litres by 2022, before a slight decline to 39.2 million litres in 2023.

Domestic production remained steady at 27 million litres in 2018 and 2019 before decreasing to 22 million litres in 2020 and 2021, and then edging up to 22.5 million litres. Imports, a major component of supply, fell drastically from 18.6 million litres in 2019 to 7.3 million litres in 2020, subsequently rebounding to nearly 20 million litres in 2022.

Production alcoholic beer in Eswatini

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, Eswatini produced 22 000 kiloliters of alcoholic beer, which represents an 18.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.6%. The most significant change occurred in 2018, when production remained stable with no increase or decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Eswatini in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Exports alcoholic beer from Eswatini

Exports in kind, K l

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 71 kiloliters, then climbed to their peak in 2017, resulting in a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign supplies of alcoholic beer from Eswatini amounted to 177 kiloliters, marking a dramatic increase of 144.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 66.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique and South Africa were the primary buyers of alcoholic beer from Eswatini, together accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Exports bottomed in 2018 at 79 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, showing a 4.1-fold difference. In 2020, alcoholic beer deliveries from Eswatini totaled 127 thousand US dollars, representing a steep rise of 30.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 75.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, the partner structure of exports in value terms was primarily reliant on Mozambique and South Africa, which together accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Eswatini

Imports in kind, K l

After a two-year rise, foreign alcoholic beer supplies to Eswatini declined. Imports reached their maximum in 2019 at 18 639 kiloliters, then fell to 7 289 kiloliters in 2020, marking a sharp decline of 60.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 33.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -12.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 53.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated the import market for alcoholic beer to Eswatini, accounting for 97.8% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year increase, Eswatini's volume of alcoholic beer imports declined. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 11 024 thousand US dollars, dropping to approximately 6 270 thousand US dollars in 2020, down by 43.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 48.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa dominated the partner structure of imports in value terms, consistently accounting for 96.4% of total flows.

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

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