Market research

Ethyl alcohol market in Southern Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Southern Africa" region includes following countries:

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the South African ethyl alcohol market volume experienced significant swings, starting at 79.1 million liters in 2018, surging to a peak of 118.5 million liters in 2019, then declining to 110.9 million liters in 2020. It recovered to 119.7 million liters in 2021 before entering a sustained downward trend, falling to 96.1 million liters in 2022 and 75.3 million liters in 2023.

The market operated within a framework requiring liquor licenses and registration with the National Liquor Authority. The subsequent contraction in market volume from 2021 coincided with long-term pressure from high excise duties on spirits, which had doubled since 2016, making products more expensive. Concurrently, shifting consumer preferences towards low- and no-alcohol beverages and a trend towards premiumisation altered consumption patterns, contributing to the overall reduction in volume.

By 2024, the market landscape saw the entry of new, smaller producers and proposed regulatory changes, including amendments to liquor product labeling rules and a discussion paper on tiered excise taxes aimed at curbing harmful consumption. These developments, alongside growing online sales and normalized global supply chains, characterized an evolving market structure.

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. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Southern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Southern Africa 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 Botswana in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Botswana 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 Botswana in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Botswana 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 Botswana, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Botswana 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 Botswana in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Botswana 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 Botswana in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Botswana 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 Botswana, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Botswana 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 Botswana in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Botswana 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 Botswana in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Botswana 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 Botswana, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Botswana 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 Botswana in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Botswana 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 Botswana in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Botswana 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 Botswana, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Botswana 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 Southern Africa

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

Southern Africa's ethyl alcohol production volume declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 341.2 million liters of ethyl alcohol, representing a modest year-over-year decrease of 2.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 351.4 million liters, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.8%	4.6%	(2.9%)	0.8%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of expansion, ethyl alcohol production in Southern Africa experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 220.9 million US dollars, marking a significant 16.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 12.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 4.1%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 264.2 million US dollars, while the strongest annual growth was recorded in 2018 at 18.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	18.4%	14.0%	(16.4%)	4.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports ethyl alcohol from Southern Africa

Exports in kind, M l

After two years of contraction, Southern Africa's ethyl alcohol exports showed signs of recovery. In 2020, the region exported 245.0 million liters, reflecting a gradual 3.3% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 12.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 4.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 237.1 million liters, which also experienced the most substantial annual decrease of 12.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.4%)	(12.3%)	3.3%	(4.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Africa's ethyl alcohol exports in volume terms were distributed across numerous countries. The top three destinations—the United Arab Emirates (13.4% of exports), Singapore (10.5%), and the United States (8.6%)—collectively accounted for just 32.4% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified export market.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Africa's ethyl alcohol export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 158.6 million US dollars, representing an 11.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 3.4%, corresponding to an annualized decline of 1.2%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 186.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 13.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.6%	(4.4%)	(11.0%)	(1.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

The value-based export structure from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified partner landscape. The three leading destinations—Angola (12.4% of export value), the United Arab Emirates (9.9%), and Singapore (7.6%)—together accounted for only 29.9% of total flows. The remaining 70.1% was distributed among numerous smaller markets, highlighting the broad geographic spread of Southern Africa's ethyl alcohol exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports ethyl alcohol to Southern Africa

Imports in kind, M l

Import volumes exhibited significant volatility, reflecting an unstable market environment. From a peak in 2017 to a trough in 2019, imports changed by a factor of 3.8. In 2020, Southern Africa imported 14.7 million liters of ethyl alcohol, representing a dramatic 246.0% increase compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4.3 million liters, which also saw the steepest annual decline of 68.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(16.6%)	(68.5%)	246.0%	(3.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, three key markets dominated Southern Africa's ethyl alcohol imports in volume terms. Mauritius, France, and Brazil collectively accounted for 70.3% of total import flows, indicating a concentrated sourcing pattern for the region.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by considerable volatility. From a peak in 2020 to a trough in 2019, import values changed by a multiple of 3.5. In 2020, Southern Africa imported 13.5 million US dollars worth of ethyl alcohol, marking a substantial 253.3% increase from 2019. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 3.8 million US dollars, which experienced the most significant annual decline of 55.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(25.7%)	(55.5%)	253.3%	5.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Africa's ethyl alcohol imports in value terms were primarily concentrated among three key suppliers. Mauritius (35.8% of import value), France (14.6%), and China (10.9%) together accounted for 61.4% of total import flows, forming the core group of sourcing destinations for the region.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io