Ethyl alcohol market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the ethyl alcohol market volume in Africa remained relatively stable, fluctuating around 840 million liters. This period was characterized by growing demand for pharmaceutical-grade ethanol required for medicines and disinfectants, alongside global beverage trends such as a shift toward sparkling wines and the early rise of no-and-low-alcohol products, which began reshaping consumption patterns. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further boosted ethanol use in sanitizers, helping to maintain overall market volume despite increasing consumer preference for lighter alcoholic options.

In 2021, market volume dropped sharply to 700.5 million liters, primarily driven by the accelerated growth of the no-and-low-alcohol segment, which reduced ethanol demand for traditional spirited beverages. The following year, however, the market rebounded to 861.2 million liters, aided by changes in excise duty legislation that made legal production more competitive, alongside persistent consumer trends toward locally flavored products.

After the 2022 peak, market volume receded to 802.5 million liters in 2023, settling closer to pre-pandemic levels.

Production ethyl alcohol in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

World map of production of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

Africa's ethyl alcohol production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 556.9 million liters, a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.8%. The highest production level was reached in 2018 at 587.1 million liters. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 2.9%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 14.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of ethyl alcohol production in Africa was 409.3 million US dollars, up by 4.0% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 27%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%. The biggest decrease was seen in 2019, at 0.9%, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 23.2%.

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

Exports ethyl alcohol from Africa

Exports in kind, M l

Africa's ethyl alcohol exports fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes stood at 305.2 million liters, marking a modest decline of 4.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 9.8%, resulting in an average annual decrease of 3.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's ethyl alcohol exports in volume terms were distributed across numerous countries. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 10.7% of exports, Singapore for 8.4%, and the United States for 6.9%. Together, these three countries made up only 25.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of ethyl alcohol exports from Africa reached 224.3 million US dollars, showing a 2.0% increase over 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 5.3%, equivalent to an average annual rise of 1.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 227.9 million US dollars. The most notable decline happened in 2019, at 3.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 7.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, the geographical distribution of Africa's ethyl alcohol exports in value terms was highly diverse. The United Arab Emirates contributed 7.8% of export value, Singapore 6.0%, and the United States 5.5%. Combined, these three countries represented just 19.2% of total flows, with the remaining 80.8% spread across many smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports ethyl alcohol to Africa

Imports in kind, M l

After increasing for two years, Africa's ethyl alcohol import volume declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 405.5 million liters, down by 32.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 20%, with an average annual drop of 7.1%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 597.9 million liters, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 15.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was a key supplier of ethyl alcohol to Africa, accounting for 21.5% of imports in volume terms, followed by India at 13.0% and Pakistan at 8.7%. Together, these three countries made up 43.3% of total imports, while the remaining 56.7% came from a wide range of other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of ethyl alcohol imports into Africa was 537.7 million US dollars, reflecting a strong increase of 18.3% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 28.8%, which equates to an average annual growth rate of 8.8%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, at 0.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States remained the leading supplier of ethyl alcohol to Africa in value terms, with a 28.8% share of imports. India followed with 13.4%, and Pakistan with 8.5%. These three countries together accounted for 50.8% of total import value.

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

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