> 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%.

Source: https://husfarm.com/production/beer/south-africa/

[Home](https://husfarm.com/)›[Production](https://husfarm.com/production/)›[Beer](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/)›South AfricaFAOSTAT · 1961–2023

# 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.

[Market prices in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/country/south-africa/)

Production, 20233.5 million t
World rank9 of 164
10-year change+11%
Record3.5 million t2023

## Beer in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)

## South Africa compared with the world, 2023

Share of world total1.9%1.7% in 2013
10-year change+11%world −0.8%

### Position in the world ranking

| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 7 | [Spain](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/spain/) | 4,130,000 | 2.2% |
| 8 | [Poland](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/poland/) | 3,580,000 | 1.9% |
| 9 | **South Africa** | 3,510,000 | 1.9% |
| 10 | [United Kingdom](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/united-kingdom/) | 3,419,600 | 1.8% |
| 11 | [Vietnam](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/vietnam/) | 3,100,000 | 1.7% |

[Full ranking of 164 countries](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/)

### Map of world production of beer

under 0.1%0.1–1%1–5%5–15%15% or moreno data
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

Exports181,295 t USD 113 m
Exporter rank17 of 149
Imports183,198 t USD 104 m
Importer rank17 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](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/)

## 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

[China](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/china/)[United States](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/united-states/)[Brazil](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/brazil/)[Mexico](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/mexico/)[Germany](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/germany/)[Russia](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/russia/)[Spain](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/spain/)[Poland](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/poland/)[United Kingdom](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/united-kingdom/)[Vietnam](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/vietnam/)[India](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/india/)[Colombia](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/colombia/)
[All countries producing beer](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/)

## Other products of South Africa

[Sugar cane](https://husfarm.com/production/sugar-cane/south-africa/)[Maize](https://husfarm.com/production/maize/south-africa/)[Cow milk](https://husfarm.com/production/cow-milk/south-africa/)[Potatoes](https://husfarm.com/production/potatoes/south-africa/)[Raw sugar](https://husfarm.com/production/raw-sugar/south-africa/)[Wheat](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/south-africa/)[Chicken meat](https://husfarm.com/production/chicken-meat/south-africa/)[Grapes](https://husfarm.com/production/grapes/south-africa/)[Soybeans](https://husfarm.com/production/soybeans/south-africa/)[Oranges](https://husfarm.com/production/oranges/south-africa/)[Apples](https://husfarm.com/production/apples/south-africa/)[Beef (cattle meat)](https://husfarm.com/production/beef/south-africa/)
[Agricultural production in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/production/country/south-africa/)

Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. [fao.org/faostat](https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL). Licence: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.

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