Beer production in South Africa
In 2023 South Africa produced 3.5 million t of beer, the 9th largest in the world (1.90% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 11%. This is the highest figure on record.
The 2023 figure is from an external organisation.
- Production, 2023
- 3.5 million t
- World rank
- 9 of 164
- 10-year change
- +11%
- Record
- 3.5 million t
- 2023
Beer in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 1.9%
- 1.7% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +11%
- world −0.8%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Spain | 4,130,000 | 2.2% |
| 8 | Poland | 3,580,000 | 1.9% |
| 9 | South Africa | 3,510,000 | 1.9% |
| 10 | United Kingdom | 3,419,600 | 1.8% |
| 11 | Vietnam | 3,100,000 | 1.7% |
Map of world production of beer
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,510,000 | +4.0% |
| 2022 | 3,375,000 | +8.9% |
| 2021 | 3,100,000 | +19% |
| 2020 | 2,600,000 | −20% |
| 2019 | 3,250,000 | +3.7% |
| 2018 | 3,135,000 | −3.0% |
| 2017 | 3,232,000 | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 3,200,000 | −0.4% |
| 2015 | 3,213,000 | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 3,150,000 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 3,150,000 | 0.0% |
| 2012 | 3,150,000 | +2.0% |
| 2011 | 3,087,000 | +4.3% |
| 2010 | 2,960,000 | +2.4% |
| 2009 | 2,889,966 | +10% |
| 2008 | 2,621,600 | +6.2% |
| 2007 | 2,468,924 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 2,468,743 | −1.6% |
| 2005 | 2,509,445 | −0.6% |
| 2004 | 2,525,835 | +2.0% |
| 2003 | 2,476,549 | −4.0% |
| 2002 | 2,580,249 | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 2,566,433 | +2.5% |
| 2000 | 2,504,341 | −8.7% |
| 1999 | 2,741,594 | +3.2% |
| 1998 | 2,655,689 | +1.7% |
| 1997 | 2,612,076 | +2.7% |
| 1996 | 2,544,205 | +2.7% |
| 1995 | 2,476,300 | +0.3% |
| 1994 | 2,468,131 | −1.0% |
| 1993 | 2,493,314 | −7.2% |
| 1992 | 2,686,322 | −0.6% |
| 1991 | 2,702,881 | +4.3% |
| 1990 | 2,590,230 | −0.3% |
| 1989 | 2,597,216 | +12% |
| 1988 | 2,315,063 | +2.6% |
| 1987 | 2,255,399 | +7.2% |
| 1986 | 2,104,662 | +5.4% |
| 1985 | 1,996,180 | +11% |
| 1984 | 1,795,942 | +7.9% |
| 1983 | 1,663,985 | +7.5% |
| 1982 | 1,547,462 | +8.8% |
| 1981 | 1,421,909 | +13% |
| 1980 | 1,256,300 | +18% |
| 1979 | 1,060,301 | +4.8% |
| 1978 | 1,011,374 | +8.7% |
| 1977 | 930,634 | −0.3% |
| 1976 | 933,076 | +2.1% |
| 1975 | 913,465 | +2.5% |
| 1974 | 890,788 | +11% |
| 1973 | 800,503 | +12% |
| 1972 | 714,861 | +27% |
| 1971 | 563,047 | +1.7% |
| 1970 | 553,769 | −1.8% |
| 1969 | 564,105 | +13% |
| 1968 | 499,526 | +9.3% |
| 1967 | 456,911 | −1.7% |
| 1966 | 464,796 | +12% |
| 1965 | 416,556 | +14% |
| 1964 | 366,830 | +18% |
| 1963 | 311,995 | +20% |
| 1962 | 260,159 | +7.2% |
| 1961 | 242,778 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 181,295 t USD 113 m
- Exporter rank
- 17 of 149
- Imports
- 183,198 t USD 104 m
- Importer rank
- 17 of 192
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of beer in South Africa?
South Africa produced 3.5 million t in 2023, 1.9% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of beer?
South Africa ranked 9th of 164 countries in 2023. The largest producer was China with 19.7% of the world total.
How has the production of beer in South Africa changed?
It rose by 11% between 2013 and 2023, compared with −0.8% for the world. 2023 was the highest figure on record.
Does South Africa export or import beer of barley, malted?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 181,295 t (USD 113 m) and imports of 183,198 t (USD 104 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2023 figure for South Africa is from an external organisation. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.