Hop cones and lupulin market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for hop cones and lupulin in Ethiopia fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 48 718 tonnes in 2018 before dropping to 41 363 tonnes in 2019 and then recovering to 46 790 tonnes in 2020. Subsequent years saw further volatility, with the market falling to 37 008 tonnes in 2022 and then rising to 43 351 tonnes in 2023.

The 13% market growth in 2020 coincided with Ethiopia becoming the world's largest producer of hop cones by volume, outputting 47 323 tonnes that year. This surge was driven by a significant scale-up in production capacity, enabling the country to surpass traditional leaders like Germany and the United States.

A substantial portion of Ethiopia's production likely consists of Rhamnus prinoides, known as gesho, a hop-like plant traditionally used in brewing local beers such as tella. This distinguishes the Ethiopian market from the global commercial hop market centered on Humulus lupulus and influences domestic demand patterns.

Production hop cones and lupulin in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia ranked second globally in production volume of hop cones and lupulin.

Top producers of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

World map of production of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

In 2020, Ethiopia produced 47 323 tonnes of hop cones and lupulin, which represents a 12.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 19.4%, averaging an annualized rate of 6.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 49 052 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 14.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 23.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports hop cones and lupulin from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 361.8 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ethiopia exported 571.4 tonnes of hop cones and lupulin, down 7.1% year-on-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 62.7%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 70.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, two countries—Israel and Sudan—accounted for the majority of Ethiopia's hop cones and lupulin exports in kind, with other markets playing individually smaller roles.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports hit a low in 2018 at 191 thousand US dollars and a high in 2017, varying by a factor of 7.4. In 2020, Ethiopia's hop cones and lupulin exports amounted to 260 thousand US dollars, showing a significant drop of 12.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 86.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 56.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan and Israel were the primary markets for Ethiopia's hop cones and lupulin exports in value terms, together making up 89.6% of total flows, with other destinations having relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports hop cones and lupulin to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Ethiopia's imports of hop cones and lupulin reached 38.8 tonnes, down 11.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 28%, averaging an annualized rate of 8.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 27.7 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 43.6 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 57.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017–2020, Germany was overwhelmingly dominant, accounting for 94.5% of Ethiopia's total imports in kind of hop cones and lupulin.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this period. Imports peaked in 2019 at 1 186 thousand US dollars and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ethiopia's imports of hop cones and lupulin were recorded at 550 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 53.6% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was in 2019, at 128.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and the United Kingdom dominated the geographical structure of Ethiopia's hop cones and lupulin imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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