Alcoholic beer market in Kenya, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in Kenya showed varied volume from 2018 to 2023. After reaching 482 million liters in 2019, consumption dropped to 432 million liters in 2020 and fell further to 415 million liters in 2021. The market then stabilized near 416 million liters in 2022 before recovering to 432 million liters in 2023.

In 2021, Keroche Breweries launched Kenya's strongest locally made beer at 10% ABV, aiming to capture share from imported strong beers. Additionally, a 2023 study indicated illicit alcohol accounted for 59% of alcohol sold, highlighting a substantial shadow market that affected formal sector volumes and tax collection.

The regulatory landscape shifted notably in 2024 with the proposed Finance Bill seeking to increase excise duties on spirits and shift to alcohol-content-based taxation. The government also launched a new National Alcohol Policy, raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 and banning alcohol sales in supermarkets, online delivery, and vending machines to curb abuse.

Production alcoholic beer in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, Kenya produced 450.0 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a 10.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 18.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 6.5%. The most stable year was 2019, with production remaining essentially unchanged.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Kenya's alcoholic beer production has now declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 272.7 million US dollars, down 22.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 39.3%, averaging an annual decrease of 15.3%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Kenya

Exports in kind, K l

In 2020, Kenya exported 24 966 thousand liters of alcoholic beer, showing little change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 21.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 24 926 thousand liters, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 35 817 thousand liters. The sharpest decline happened in 2019 at 30.4%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 at 12.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda and South Sudan consistently dominated Kenya's export markets for alcoholic beer in volume terms, together accounting for 91.1% of total exports. Other trading partners played a more limited role during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Kenya's alcoholic beer exports have declined for two consecutive years. In 2020, exports amounted to 15 127 thousand US dollars, a significant 14.1% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 41.9%, with a compound annual decline of 16.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 27 930 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2019 at 37.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Sudan and Uganda remained the primary markets for Kenya's alcoholic beer exports in value terms, jointly representing 86.4% of total export flows. Other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Kenya

Imports in kind, K l

In 2020, Kenya imported 7 407 thousand liters of alcoholic beer, a 5.1% increase year-over-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.9%, averaging an annual decline of 6.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 7 045 thousand liters, while the highest was in 2018 at 10 106 thousand liters. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 at 30.3%, and the largest rise was in 2018 at 13.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Russia were the main suppliers of alcoholic beer to Kenya in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 46.3% of imports, Denmark for 21.7%, and Russia for 15.4%, together making up 83.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Kenya's alcoholic beer imports have fallen for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports reached 5 895 thousand US dollars, a moderate 5.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value declined by 18.4%, with a compound annual decrease of 6.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 8 539 thousand US dollars. The sharpest decline happened in 2019 at 26.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 18.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Russia continued to be the leading suppliers of alcoholic beer to Kenya in value terms. The Netherlands held 51.2% of import value, Denmark 20.5%, and Russia 10.3%, collectively accounting for 82.0% of total imports.

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

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