Malt market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Ethiopia's malt market volume showed volatility, starting at 221.3 thousand tonnes and reaching 224.8 thousand tonnes by 2023, with a notable dip to 184.1 thousand tonnes in 2020. Over the same period, domestic production more than doubled from 97.9 thousand tonnes to 224.1 thousand tonnes, indicating a rapid expansion of local manufacturing capacity.

This surge in production was accompanied by a steep decline in imports, which fell from 123.4 thousand tonnes in 2018 to just 0.9 thousand tonnes in 2023. The market's shift toward near-total reliance on domestic supply occurred while overall consumption remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 184 thousand and 225 thousand tonnes.

The emergence of minor exports beginning in 2022, at 0.3 thousand tonnes, and their subsequent slight reduction, points to the development of an export capability, albeit at minimal levels. By 2023, the structure of Ethiopia's malt market was defined by robust local production and negligible import volumes.

Production malt in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's malt production reached 116.3 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a significant 12.7% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 97.9 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 133.2 thousand tonnes. The most substantial year-on-year increase was in 2019, when production surged by 36.1%.

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

Exports malt from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Ethiopia exported 0.0 thousand tonnes of malt, representing a 61.8% improvement compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 36.4%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 10.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Ethiopia's malt exports in volume terms were Israel (34.2% of exports), the United States (21.4%), and the United Kingdom (10.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 66.4% of total export flows.

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

Ethiopia's malt exports in value terms totaled 32 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a sharp 31.8% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 19.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 24 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 37 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 34.5% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 with a 38.6% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States (29.7% of export value), Israel (28.5%), and Germany (14.1%) were the leading markets for Ethiopia's malt exports in monetary terms. Collectively, they represented 72.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports malt to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, K t

Ethiopia's malt imports declined for the second consecutive year, with a total volume of 67.8 thousand tonnes in 2020, down 14.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports decreased by 9.3%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 3.2%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 123.4 thousand tonnes. The largest year-on-year decrease was in 2019 at 36.1%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018 with a 65.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (26.0% of import volume), Belgium (21.9%), and the Netherlands (18.1%) were the main sources for Ethiopia's malt imports in volume terms. Together, these three countries supplied 65.9% of total import flows.

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

Ethiopia's malt imports in value terms also declined for the second year in a row, with a total of 70 406 thousand US dollars in 2020, reflecting a slight 2.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 10.9%, averaging 3.5% growth per year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 70 406 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline was in 2019 with a 32.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 68.4% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France (26.3% of import value), Belgium (22.4%), and the Netherlands (18.1%) formed the core group of suppliers for Ethiopia's malt imports in monetary terms. Combined, they accounted for 66.8% of total import flows.

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

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