Alcoholic beer market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in Malawi showed steady growth from 2018 to 2023, starting at 100.2 million liters and reaching 110.4 million liters by the end of the period. This expansion was primarily driven by increases in domestic production, which rose from 100 million liters to 110 million liters over the same timeframe.

After a stable phase in 2018 and 2019, the market volume increased notably in 2020, followed by another significant rise in 2022. The years 2021 and 2023 saw more modest growth, indicating a period of consolidation after the earlier surges in production and consumption.

In the later years of the period, broader industry trends such as the growing global interest in non-alcoholic beer segments, experimentation with craft beer styles, and the increased penetration of e-commerce channels began to shape the market landscape.

Production alcoholic beer in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, Malawi produced 105.0 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a modest 5.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when production remained unchanged.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Malawi

Exports in kind, K l

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.0 thousand liters and peaked in 2020 at 3.2 thousand liters, representing a 116-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer from Malawi totaled 3.2 thousand liters, which is 60.3% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 94.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 7,114.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom accounted for 89.0% of Malawi's total exports of alcoholic beer in volume terms, with the remaining flows distributed among multiple smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 186 times. In 2020, Malawi's alcoholic beer exports amounted to 1.8 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 76.9% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 98.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 10,426.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the key buyer of alcoholic beer from Malawi, accounting for 78.0% of total exports in value terms, while a diversified group of other countries made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Malawi

Imports in kind, K l

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated 8.9 times between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Malawi's alcoholic beer imports were recorded at 138.1 thousand liters, constituting a solid 24.9% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 110.6 thousand liters. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 84.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa effectively concentrated imports of alcoholic beer to Malawi, with a share of 99.4% of total flows in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Malawi's alcoholic beer imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 112.8 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a slight 2.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 81.4%, with an average annual decline of 42.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the key partner for Malawi's imports in value terms, accounting for 98.7% of total flows.

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

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