Malt market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The malt market in Eastern Africa saw considerable volume changes between 2018 and 2023. After a peak of 528 thousand tons in 2018, the market contracted to 418 thousand tons by 2020, then recovered to 494 thousand tons in 2022 before declining to 459 thousand tons in 2023. This volatility reflected shifts in both local production and trade flows.

Domestic malt production rebounded strongly from 2020 onward, increasing from 229 thousand tons to 326 thousand tons by 2023. This expansion occurred alongside evolving global barley market conditions, where factors such as raw material costs and supply chain dynamics influenced production economics. During the same period, imports fell steadily while exports grew, pointing to a gradual move toward greater regional self-sufficiency in malt supply.

Broader industry trends also shaped the market environment. Rising global demand for malt ingredients—driven by the growth of craft brewing, distilling, and consumer preference for natural and premium beverages—created a positive backdrop for market development, even as local volumes experienced yearly fluctuations.

Production malt in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

Malt production in Eastern Africa saw a two-year rise before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 302.1 K t, marking a 15.1% increase. However, by 2020, output fell to 229.1 K t, representing a 24.2% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 8.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, malt production in Eastern Africa experienced a downturn. In 2019, production value peaked at 182.5 M $ US, after a 31.2% increase in 2018. By 2020, the value dropped sharply to 126.1 M $ US, a 30.9% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 4.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.5%.

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

Exports malt from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. In 2018, malt exports from Eastern Africa hit their lowest point at 2.1 K t, representing a 40.7% decline. The following year, exports surged by 98.0%, and in 2020, they reached 6.2 K t, a 49.0% increase from 2019. The peak in 2020 was three times higher than the 2018 low.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Germany, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were the primary markets for malt exports in kind. South Africa accounted for 5.1% of exports, Germany for 3.1%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2.1%. Together, these three countries represented 10.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. In 2018, export value was at its lowest at 1.4 M $ US, after a 26.1% decline. The following year saw an 81.6% increase, and in 2020, exports rose to 3.4 M $ US, a 35.7% gain from 2019. The 2020 peak was 2.5 times higher than the 2018 low.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Germany were the main destinations for malt exports in value terms. South Africa represented 5.1% of exports, the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2.5%, and Germany 2.3%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 9.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports malt to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Malt imports into Eastern Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports peaked at 267.8 K t, following a 9.4% increase. The following year saw an 18.6% drop, and in 2020, imports fell to 194.8 K t, down 10.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 20.4%, with an average annual decline of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands consistently led as the top sources for malt imports in kind. Belgium accounted for 32.6% of imports, France for 25.8%, and the Netherlands for 8.3%. Together, these three countries made up 66.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Malt imports into Eastern Africa fell for the second year in a row. In 2018, import value reached its highest point at 155.1 M $ US, after a 27.0% increase. By 2020, imports dropped to 119.4 M $ US, a 13.0% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 2.3%, equivalent to an annualized drop of 0.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands were the primary markets for malt imports in value terms. Belgium represented 31.6% of imports, France 25.7%, and the Netherlands 8.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 65.6% of total import flows.

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

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