R20bn worth of illegal alcohol made in SA

Manufacturers and distributors in the liquor industry say an international report has shown that the illicit market grew by 10% between 2017 and 2020.

The association says Euromonitor International also found that the total share of liquor produced illegally in 2020, which was the year the Covid-19 pandemic reached our shores, is estimated to be worth R20 billion.

Salba’s Kurt Moore says the figure compromises 22% of total volumes.

This means one in five bottles carried potentially illicit products.

“We have to pay taxes. We contribute as an industry to the economy of South Africa, we help to create jobs,” says Moore.

“The impact for Treasury is that R11.3 billion does not enter into the profits and I think that is the major impact. It is an unfair competition.”