Alcoholic beer market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in Zimbabwe contracted from 231.2 million liters in 2018 to 221.3 million liters in 2020. This decline was driven by economic pressures that squeezed disposable incomes, leading consumers to prioritize cheaper opaque beer varieties. Delta Corporation responded to this shift by expanding its Chibuku Super segment and introducing new packaging formats. The COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 further reduced market access and volumes, while foreign currency shortages impacted production and supply chains.

Market volume showed a modest recovery to 222.8 million liters in 2021, supported by increased liquidity from mining activities and infrastructure projects, which boosted festive season beer sales by 48%. By 2023, the market size had fallen to 207.2 million liters, even as production held steady at 220 million liters, due to a significant rise in exports to 16.8 million liters. Throughout this period, consumer preference for affordable opaque beer remained strong, with Delta reporting volume growth in this segment driven by products like Chibuku Super.

In 2024, the government introduced a sugar tax expected to increase prices and implemented business reforms, including slashing the liquor licence application fee to US$20 to reduce compliance costs. Delta Beverages raised wholesale prices by over 80% on selected brands, while authorities intensified campaigns against counterfeit alcohol and enforced stricter licensing standards for retail outlets.

Production alcoholic beer in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, Zimbabwe produced 220.0 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a 4.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 5.3%, which translates to a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The most stable year was 2019, with production levels remaining essentially unchanged.

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

Exports alcoholic beer from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, K l

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. Starting from a high point in 2017 and dropping to a low in 2020, exports varied by a factor of 10.5. In 2020, Zimbabwe shipped 6 thousand liters of alcoholic beer abroad, representing a sharp year-over-year decline of 66.8%. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 85.7%, while 2019 saw the biggest increase at 101.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe's export destinations in volume terms were highly concentrated, with South Africa alone accounting for 98.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Zimbabwe's alcoholic beer exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 4 thousand US dollars. This represented a sharp 65.8% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 92.9%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 58.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Zimbabwe's export value remained heavily concentrated on South Africa, which accounted for 94.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports alcoholic beer to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, K l

Import volumes displayed considerable volatility during the observed period. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2019, volumes varied by a factor of 766. In 2020, Zimbabwe imported 1 264 thousand liters of alcoholic beer, representing a dramatic increase of 62,655.3% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at just 2 thousand liters, which also marked the largest decline of 99.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and Namibia were the two primary sources for Zimbabwe's imports in volume terms, together accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited significant volatility during these years, with a peak in 2017 and a trough in 2019 showing a 257-fold variation. In 2020, Zimbabwe imported alcoholic beer worth 1 264 thousand US dollars, representing an extraordinary increase of 15,766.6% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 99.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical distribution of import values was dominated by South Africa and Namibia, which together accounted for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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