Chicken meat and offal market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the chicken meat market in Middle Africa contracted from 890.7 thousand tons to 666.5 thousand tons. This period was characterized by a market historically opened to imports due to trade liberalization following the CFA franc devaluation, with France increasing exports of low-cost frozen chicken to the region. Local production fell sharply to 108.4 thousand tons by 2020, as inexpensive imported frozen and mechanically deboned meat from Europe and the Americas continued to dominate, constraining domestic sector development.

The market rebounded to 801.0 thousand tons in 2021, supported by a persistent gap where local production met only a fraction of regional demand. Production recovered to 176.5 thousand tons. In 2022, the market volume eased slightly to 769.9 thousand tons despite local output rising to 201.1 thousand tons, a period which also saw product diversification in the frozen poultry segment with the introduction of items like breaded chicken and sausages at regional trade events.

Market volume reached 858.5 thousand tons in 2023, driven by growing imports of low-cost frozen chicken, particularly into the Democratic Republic of Congo. This coincided with price harmonization for farm-gate chicken in Cameroon to curb speculation. In 2024, imports of Brazilian chicken into Africa rose markedly, indicating sustained reliance on foreign supply to meet regional consumption.

Production chicken meat and offal in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Middle Africa's chicken meat and offal production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 108.4 K t, marking a significant drop of 34.6% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 45.7%, with an average annual decline of 18.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports chicken meat and offal from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. From 2017 to 2019, exports varied dramatically, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 33 times. In 2020, Middle Africa exported 0.2 K t of chicken meat and offal, a sharp reduction of 66.0% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.6 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 1 780.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey and Brazil were the main destinations for Middle Africa's chicken meat and offal exports in kind, together accounting for 14.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was volatile during these years. From 2017 to 2019, export values fluctuated widely, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 20 times. In 2020, Middle Africa exported 0.3 M $ US of chicken meat and offal, down 59.9% year-on-year. The peak value was in 2019 at 0.8 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 1 713.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Middle Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Middle Africa's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms were distributed across many countries. Turkey, Spain, and Brazil were the top destinations, with shares of 28.3%, 3.2%, and 2.6% respectively, but together they made up only 34.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Middle Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports chicken meat and offal to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, chicken meat and offal imports to Middle Africa increased in 2020. Imports reached 558.4 K t, up 2.6% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 31.6%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 11.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 544.2 K t, which also saw the largest drop of 23.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Brazil, and Poland were the leading sources for chicken meat and offal imports in kind to Middle Africa, with shares of 38.1%, 23.3%, and 5.6% respectively. Together, they accounted for 67.1% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of chicken meat and offal imports to Middle Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 463.8 M $ US, a reduction of 12.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 32.5%, with an average annual decline of 12.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 719.1 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 4.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 26.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Middle Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Brazil, and Turkey were the main destinations for Middle Africa's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms. With shares of 44.3%, 19.4%, and 5.6% respectively, they together absorbed 69.3% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Middle Africa in value, 2017-2020