Hop cones and lupulin market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market for hop cones and lupulin in SADC saw significant volume changes from 2018 to 2023, starting at 870 t and reaching 1281 t. This growth was not steady, with a sharp increase to 1240 t in 2019 followed by a contraction to 962 t in 2020. The market then recovered and stabilized above 1240 t from 2021 onward. Domestic production remained relatively flat throughout the period, hovering around 470 t, meaning that fluctuations in import volumes were the primary driver of market size movements.

For 2024, available trade data shows imports rising to 1115 t while exports fell to 120 t, indicating strengthened domestic consumption. The expected hop harvest in August 2024 points to continued local cultivation activity. Additionally, a broader consumer shift toward health and wellness in South Africa has increased demand for natural and organic products, which supports the market for hop cones and lupulin used in brewing and related applications.

Production hop cones and lupulin in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

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

SADC's production of hop cones and lupulin declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 478.2 tons, representing a 2.0% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, production had contracted slightly to 468.9 tons, marking a 1.9% decrease compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of expansion, the value of hop cones and lupulin production in SADC experienced a decline. In 2018, production value surged by 26.7%, reaching a peak of 7 655 thousand US dollars in 2019. However, by 2020, the value had dropped to 6 573 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant 14.1% decrease from the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 18.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%.

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

Exports hop cones and lupulin from SADC

Exports in kind, t

SADC's exports of hop cones and lupulin showed notable fluctuations over the period. In 2018, exports reached their highest point at 189.3 tons, representing a substantial 51.1% increase from the previous year. However, in 2019, exports fell sharply to 121.2 tons, a decline of 36.0%. By 2020, exports rebounded to 178.6 tons, marking a 47.4% increase compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 42.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Uganda, and Nigeria were the main importers of hop cones and lupulin from SADC in terms of volume. The United States accounted for 25.2% of exports, Uganda for 5.8%, and Nigeria for 1.1%. Together, these three countries represented 32.1% of SADC's total exports by volume during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for hop cones and lupulin from SADC exhibited significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2017, exports were at their lowest point, but they surged by 87.8% in 2018 to reach a peak of 2 834 thousand US dollars. However, in 2019, export value declined by 31.5%. By 2020, exports had recovered to 2 504 thousand US dollars, showing a 29.0% increase compared to 2019. Overall, the difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2017 was 1.9-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Uganda, and Nigeria were the primary destinations for SADC's hop cones and lupulin exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 39.4% of export value, Uganda for 5.3%, and Nigeria for 1.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 45.8% of SADC's total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports hop cones and lupulin to SADC

Imports in kind, t

SADC's imports of hop cones and lupulin by volume showed considerable variation. In 2018, imports were at their lowest at 591.1 tons, but they increased sharply by 49.4% in 2019 to reach a peak of 883.0 tons. However, by 2020, imports had decreased to 672.0 tons, a decline of 23.9% compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom were the leading sources of hop cones and lupulin imports to SADC by volume. Germany accounted for 68.0% of imports, the United States for 8.7%, and the United Kingdom for 1.4%. Together, these three countries supplied 78.1% of SADC's total import volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of hop cones and lupulin imports to SADC declined. In 2019, import value reached its highest point at 9 665 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 15.6% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, import value had decreased slightly to 9 576 thousand US dollars, a 0.9% drop compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 16.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom were the principal sources of hop cones and lupulin imports to SADC in value terms. Germany accounted for 56.9% of import value, the United States for 19.8%, and the United Kingdom for 2.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 78.9% of SADC's total import value during this period.

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

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