Market research

Ethyl alcohol market in ECOWAS

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"ECOWAS" region includes following countries:

Benin

Burkina Faso

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Côte d'Ivoire

Cabo Verde

Liberia

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Earlier Report Observations

The ethyl alcohol market in ECOWAS is characterized by a structural reliance on imports, which typically constitute the bulk of supply. This dependency meant that market volume fluctuations closely mirrored changes in import levels. From 2018 to 2019, the market expanded by over 100 million liters to 495.8 million liters, driven by a sharp rise in imports. However, import volumes contracted in subsequent years, leading to a marked reduction in total market size, which fell to 296.4 million liters by 2023.

Domestic production played a secondary role, accounting for a small share of total market volume. After a dip to 81.1 million liters in 2020, production recovered and stabilized around 100–102 million liters annually from 2021 onward. This relative stability in local output contrasted with the volatility of imports, underscoring the market's exposure to international supply shifts.

The market structure is segmented by alcohol purity, with beverage‑grade spirits requiring high purity levels. The region's persistent net‑importer status reflects limited local production capacity relative to consumption needs, a defining feature throughout the period.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in ECOWAS
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2018-2023, M l
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M l
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, M l
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, M l
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/K l
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, M l
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/K l
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, M l
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/K l
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, M l
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/K l
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, M l
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, M l
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production ethyl alcohol in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, ethyl alcohol production in ECOWAS saw its largest increase at 5.6%. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 81.1 million liters, marking a 20.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 22.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 8.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.0%)	5.6%	(20.5%)	(8.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, the value of ethyl alcohol output in ECOWAS reached its peak at 77,900 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 3.9%. By 2020, the value had dropped to 72,031 thousand US dollars, a 7.5% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 7%, averaging an annualized decline of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.3%)	3.9%	(7.5%)	(2.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports ethyl alcohol from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, M l

Ethyl alcohol exports from ECOWAS declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 7.5 million liters, showing a significant year-on-year drop of 16.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 60.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -26.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(46.4%)	(11.3%)	(16.3%)	(26.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland and South Africa were the top two markets for ECOWAS's ethyl alcohol exports in volume terms, accounting for 4.0% and 1.5% of total flows, respectively.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Ethyl alcohol shipments from ECOWAS to abroad declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 6.6 million US dollars, contracting by 2.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 52.1%, with a CAGR of -21.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(43.7%)	(12.7%)	(2.6%)	(21.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, Switzerland and South Africa were the two main destinations for ECOWAS's ethyl alcohol exports in value terms, with shares of 4.1% and 2.3%, respectively, totaling 6.4% of all export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports ethyl alcohol to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, M l

In 2019, ethyl alcohol imports into ECOWAS reached their highest volume at 402.6 million liters, with the largest increase that year at 30.3%. However, after two years of gains, imports declined in 2020 to 213.4 million liters, a sharp 47.0% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 29.4%, with a CAGR of -11.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.2%	30.3%	(47.0%)	(11.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, India, and Brazil were the three largest sources for ECOWAS's ethyl alcohol imports in volume terms, together accounting for 64.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Ethyl alcohol imports into ECOWAS increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 323.0 million US dollars, up by 18.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 46.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.9%	14.5%	18.8%	13.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States, India, and Brazil led as the top suppliers of ethyl alcohol to ECOWAS in value terms, with shares of 48.6%, 11.1%, and 9.6%, respectively. Their combined share reached 69.3% of total import value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io