Gabon: Beverages industry reports decline in output in 2017

According to figures from Société des brasseries du Gabon (Sobraga) and Sovingab, Gabon’s overall beverages output fell by 6.3% to 2.7 million hectolitres last year against 2.8 million hectolitres in 2016, due to weak demand in local market, Ecofin Agency reported on March 8.

Last year, the country produced 1.6 million hectolitres of beer and 961,024 hectolitres of soft drinks. Wine output was 44,713 hectolitres while that of other products was 44,474 hectolitres. 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 hectolitres. 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%.

08 March, 2018