Ethyl alcohol market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The ethyl alcohol market in Middle Africa began the period at 178.4 million liters in 2018 but declined to 162.9 million liters in 2019. This reduction coincided with the widespread presence of high-strength artisanal drinks like 'Agene' and 'Lotoko', which competed directly with officially produced beverages. Additionally, civil society movements denounced the sale of prohibited alcoholic drinks, including those produced by companies like Première Distillerie, highlighting regulatory challenges and unfair competition that likely diverted consumption away from the formal market.

A sharp downturn occurred in 2020, with production collapsing to 20.6 million liters and overall market volume dropping to 148.7 million liters. The market remained under pressure from illicit artisanal alcohol, as evidenced by a 2021 parliamentary appeal to ban 'Lotoko' due to its negative social impact. The formal market size continued to shrink, reaching 120.2 million liters in 2021.

Market volume stabilized around 119 million liters in 2022 before rising to 138.7 million liters in 2023. In 2022, a shortage of malt—a key ingredient in beer brewing—contributed to higher prices for alcoholic beverages, potentially affecting demand for ethyl alcohol used in production. The following year, price increases for consumer goods, driven by depreciation of the Congolese franc, introduced additional cost pressures. By 2024, authorities extended import restrictions on ethyl alcohol in some regions, even as imported volumes reached 133.7 million liters, suggesting ongoing adjustments in supply chains.

Production ethyl alcohol in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

Top producers of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

World map of production of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

Middle Africa's ethyl alcohol production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, production dropped to 20 572 thousand liters, marking a 55.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 51%, with a compound annual growth rate of -21.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 46 000 thousand liters, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 7.0%.

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

Exports ethyl alcohol from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, M l

The export market for ethyl alcohol from Middle Africa experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a dramatic 171-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.0 million liters, representing a sharp 44.2% decline from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 million liters, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 0.1 million liters. The most substantial decline happened in 2018 at 94.4%, and the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 17 033.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China served as the primary destination for Middle Africa's ethyl alcohol exports in volume terms, accounting for 1.4% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

The market demonstrated considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, showing a remarkable 279-fold swing between these extremes. In 2020, the value of ethyl alcohol exports from Middle Africa totaled 0.1 million US dollars, representing a substantial 75.3% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 at 93.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 15 839.8%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, China remained the leading partner for Middle Africa's ethyl alcohol exports in value terms, representing 3.4% of total export flows.

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 ethyl alcohol to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, M l

In 2020, Middle Africa imported 128.2 million liters of ethyl alcohol, reflecting a moderate 9.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 21.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 133.7 million liters. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 at 12.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 26.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa (29.4% of import volume), India (24.8% of import volume), and Pakistan (16.4% of import volume) were the principal suppliers of ethyl alcohol to Middle Africa. Together, these three countries accounted for 70.5% of total imports in volume terms.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Middle Africa's ethyl alcohol imports amounted to 113.9 million US dollars, representing a 13.0% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 32%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 3.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 20.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (33.5% of import value), India (23.6% of import value), and Pakistan (13.6% of import value) were the main suppliers of ethyl alcohol to Middle Africa in value terms. Collectively, these three countries represented 70.8% of total import value.

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

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