Alcoholic beer market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the alcoholic beer market in Middle Africa reached 2 161 million liters, supported by Cameroon's position as the region's leading consumer and broader trends such as urbanization and rising disposable incomes. The market then contracted to 1 866 million liters in 2019, before stabilizing at 1 922 million liters in 2020.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2021, with market volume jumping to 2 255 million liters. This recovery aligned with Africa-wide beer production growing by 7% – the highest rate globally – and Cameroon specifically reporting a volume increase of over 10%.

Growth continued through 2022 and 2023, reaching 2 422 million liters. The African beer industry recorded its third consecutive year of post-pandemic expansion in 2023. By 2024, measures like a 12-month import ban on beer in the Democratic Republic of Congo were implemented to boost local manufacturing, potentially reshaping regional supply dynamics.

Production alcoholic beer in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Middle Africa's alcoholic beer production volume increased in 2020, following a two-year decline. In 2020, the region produced 1 913 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a 2.9% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.3%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 4.6%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 858 million liters, with that year also seeing the largest decline of 12.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of alcoholic beer in Middle Africa reached 1 678 million US dollars, representing a 2.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 636 million US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2018 at 2 035 million US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2019 with a drop of 19.6%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.2%.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, M l

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment for exports. In 2020, alcoholic beer shipments from Middle Africa to abroad amounted to 11.6 million liters, reflecting a sharp decline of 35.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 6.7 million liters, with that year experiencing the largest decline of 67.7%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 170.9%. Exports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, resulting in a 3.1-fold difference between these years.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for exports in kind were China, France, and Belgium. Together, they accounted for 3.1% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment for export values. In 2020, alcoholic beer shipments from Middle Africa to abroad reached 10 196 thousand US dollars, down by 35.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 6 356 thousand US dollars, with that year seeing the largest decline of 65.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 150.1%. Export values peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest in 2018, creating a 2.9-fold variation between these years.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, France, China, and Belgium were the primary buyers of alcoholic beer from Middle Africa in value terms. France accounted for 2.0% of exports, China for 1.3%, and Belgium for 0.7%. Collectively, these three markets represented 4.1% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, M l

Middle Africa's volume of alcoholic beer imports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. In that year, the region imported a total of value_last_year million liters of alcoholic beer, reflecting a decrease of 16.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 79%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -40.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Belgium were the main sources for imports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 52.5% of imports, Portugal for 9.3%, and Belgium for 7.7%. Together, these three markets made up 69.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of alcoholic beer imports into Middle Africa declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. In that year, imports amounted to 20 286 thousand US dollars, down by 20.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 52.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 22.1%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 45.6% of imports, Belgium for 11.8%, and Portugal for 9.6%. Combined, these three markets represented 67.1% of total import flows.

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

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