Malt market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

South Africa's malt market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2020, starting at 320.9 thousand tonnes in 2018. The decline to 265.0 thousand tonnes in 2019 was primarily due to multiple closures and reduced operations in the craft beer industry, which lowered malt demand. Recovery to 280.2 thousand tonnes in 2020 occurred as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains but also shifted consumer preference towards local, sustainable brands.

Market growth accelerated in 2021, reaching 357.3 thousand tonnes, supported by the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP) which fostered public-private collaboration in agriculture. Stabilization around 354.6 thousand tonnes in 2022 coincided with draft regulations for mandatory warning labels on malt-based beverages and rising production costs from a weaker Rand. In 2023, volume jumped to 412.3 thousand tonnes, driven by the start of construction on Soufflet Malt's new €100 million malting facility and Heineken Beverages' long-term supply agreement, signaling expanded industrial capacity.

Beyond 2023, the malt sector saw continued development with the ongoing construction of the Soufflet Malt facility and sustained efforts under the AAMP to train and finance emerging barley farmers, reinforcing local supply chains.

Production malt in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked as the 21st largest producer of malt globally.

Top producers of malt, 2018-2021

World map of production of malt, 2018-2021

South Africa's malt production grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 254.6 thousand tonnes of malt, marking a 4.1% increase from the previous year. The lowest production volume was in 2019 at 206.4 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 18.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with production rising by 18.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

South Africa's malt production value also rose for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 160.5 million US dollars, reflecting a 20.0% year-over-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value grew by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 121.1 million US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 17.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports malt from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

South Africa's malt export volumes declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 24.9 thousand tonnes, down 9.2% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 6.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 38.5 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 43.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 28.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Botswana, Lesotho, and Mozambique—collectively accounted for 70.5% of South Africa's total malt exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa exported malt worth 15 736 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual gain of 4.7% compared to 2020. The lowest value was in 2020 at 15 029 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 33.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 22 579 thousand US dollars, marking the largest increase of 45.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over the 2018-2021 period, Botswana (34.8% of exports by value), Lesotho (21.4%), and Mozambique (15.3%) were the main buyers of malt from South Africa, together comprising 71.5% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports malt to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2021, South Africa imported 127.7 thousand tonnes of malt, which is 102.4% higher than the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 63.1 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 35.0%. The maximum volume in 2021 was 2 times higher than the minimum in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium (49.6% of imports by volume), France (21.4%), and the Netherlands (9.0%) remained the main suppliers of malt to South Africa, jointly forming 80.0% of total imports by volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2021, malt deliveries to South Africa amounted to 64 179 thousand US dollars, up by 132.0% from a year earlier. The lowest value was in 2020 at 27 667 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 39.0%. The highest value in 2021 was 2.3 times higher than the lowest in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2018-2021, Belgium (48.1% of imports by value), France (20.5%), and the Netherlands (8.8%) together accounted for 77.4% of total imports in value terms, continuing as the main sources of malt for South Africa.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021