Late 2017, the activities of Gabon’s alcoholic and soft beverages decreased.

According to figures from Société des brasseries du Gabon (Sobraga) and Sovingab, the sector’s overall output fell by 6.3% to 2.7 million hectoliters against 2.8 million hectoliters in 2016, due to weak demand in local market.

During this period, the country produced 1.6 million hectoliters of beer and 961, 024 hectoliters of soft drinks. Wine output was 44, 713 hectoliter while that of other products was 44, 474 hectoliters. Because of this, the branch’s turnover dropped from CFA167.8 billion in 2016 to CFA152.4 billion in 2017 (-9.1%).

In contrast, mineral water production increased by 17.9% during the same period, standing at 920,782 hectoliters. Likewise, the turnover in this sub-sector was nearly CFA15 billion, up by 1%, thanks to the Akewa products which significantly boosted sales.

Moreover, the interruptions of water supply boosted local demand for mineral water. Also, the number of employees rose to 73 with a payroll of CFA872.5 million, which means an increase by 7.4%.

Stéphane Billé