Alcoholic beer market in Lesotho

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in Lesotho experienced significant fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 48.5 million liters in 2018, it grew to a peak of 61.2 million liters in 2022, before contracting sharply to 43.7 million liters in 2023. This period was marked by volatile import levels, which heavily influenced the total market size, while domestic production remained relatively stable.

A notable development in the broader beverage sector was the launch of Lesotho's first locally developed fizzy drink in late 2021. This entry of a new player, motivated by a drive for import substitution, signaled a growing emphasis on local production within the beverage industry. While this initiative primarily targeted the soft drink segment, it reflected a market environment encouraging local industry development, which coincided with the market's peak volume in 2022.

Following the 2022 peak, the market volume declined by over 28% in 2023. This drop was primarily driven by a steep fall in imports, which more than halved from the previous year's high. The overall period demonstrates a market heavily responsive to trade flows, with domestic production showing less volatility.

Production alcoholic beer in Lesotho

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Lesotho's alcoholic beer production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, production volume reached 36,000 kiloliters, marking a 20.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 45,000 kiloliters, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.2%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Lesotho

Exports in kind, K l

Market behavior showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 7 kiloliters, then peaked in 2020 with a 6.8-fold increase. In 2020, Lesotho's alcoholic beer export volume stood at 45 kiloliters, representing a 75.7% year-over-year rise. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 63.0%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 289.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports remained heavily concentrated on South Africa, which accounted for 99.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations throughout the period. Export values hit their lowest point in 2018 at $1,000 US, then surged to their maximum in 2020 with a 76-fold increase. In 2020, cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer from Lesotho reached $63,000 US, representing a 452.9% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 98.3%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 1,271.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa served as the dominant market for Lesotho's alcoholic beer exports in value terms, accounting for 99.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Lesotho

Imports in kind, K l

In 2020, Lesotho's imported alcoholic beer volume reached 5,774 kiloliters, representing a 34.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 28.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.6%. The highest import level was recorded in 2019 at 8,746 kiloliters, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa remained the primary and most consistent source for Lesotho's alcoholic beer imports in volume terms, accounting for 70.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Lesotho's alcoholic beer imports from abroad declined. In 2020, import value stood at $4,450,000 US, marking a 36.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at $7,023,000 US, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 16.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa held the leading position in Lesotho's alcoholic beer imports by value, with its share reaching 73.3%.

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

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