Malt market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The malt market in Northern Africa declined from 105 469 t in 2018 to a low of 89 682 t in 2020, as both domestic production and import volumes fell over the period.

A recovery began in 2021, with market volume expanding to 95 906 t and then accelerating to 119 473 t in 2023. This strong growth coincided with the global market's increasing demand for organic and specialty malts, driven by consumer interest in craft beers and sustainable products, which stimulated both local production and imports.

For 2024, import volumes continued to rise, reaching 62 495 t. Key influences included a drought in Europe that reduced barley harvests and tightened global malt supply, alongside strategic investments by major maltsters in new African production capacity to serve regional demand.

Production malt in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

Northern Africa's malt production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, the region produced 53 679 tonnes of malt, marking a moderate 9.9% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 8.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 48 852 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest drop of 9.6%.

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

Exports malt from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2018 at 1 428 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with the difference between these years being 3.8 times. In 2020, Northern Africa exported 3 337 tonnes of malt, representing a significant 57.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 73.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Northern Africa's malt exports in volume terms were Burundi (12.9% of exports), Rwanda (9.8%), and Ethiopia (7.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 30.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 124 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 5.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, malt exports from Northern Africa amounted to 2 719 thousand US dollars, up by 62.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, when export values dropped by 81.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Burundi (12.5% of exports in value terms), Rwanda (9.7%), and Ethiopia (7.7%) led the structure of malt exports from Northern Africa. Collectively, these three markets represented 29.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports malt to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of malt to Northern Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 39 340 tonnes, showing a solid decrease of 22.3% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21.6%, with an average annual decline of 7.8%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 52 856 tonnes, with the largest increase of 5.3% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for malt imports to Northern Africa in volume terms were Belgium (32.1% of imports), France (29.0%), and Poland (10.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 71.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Northern Africa's malt import volume declined after a two-year rise. In 2020, imports totaled 23 239 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a substantial decrease of 15.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 7.6%, translating to an average annual decline of 2.6%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 27 540 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 8.2% occurring in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Belgium, France, and Poland—dominated the structure of malt imports to Northern Africa in value terms, together accounting for 70.2% of total flows.

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

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