Chicken meat and offal market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the chicken meat and offal market in SADC reached 3.5 million metric tons, with significant imports of frozen portions prompting anti-dumping duties to protect domestic producers. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains in 2019, reducing imports and contributing to a market decline to 3.4 million metric tons. Despite the onset of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in 2020, increased ad valorem tariffs on frozen chicken parts shielded local production, which grew to 2.5 million metric tons, offsetting lower imports and lifting the market volume back to 3.4 million metric tons.

Active trade policy to manage import prices supported production in 2021, which rose to 2.6 million metric tons, while imports held steady, pushing the market to a peak of 3.5 million metric tons. The industry’s export-driven growth strategies and rising local demand, fueled by consumer preference for poultry as a healthier and more affordable protein, underpinned production in 2022. However, a further drop in imports led to a slight market contraction to 3.5 million metric tons despite output reaching 2.7 million metric tons.

Widespread avian influenza outbreaks in 2023 caused extensive culling, cutting production to 2.6 million metric tons and creating shortages. The government responded by considering temporary import duty rebates and issuing permits for fertilized eggs and poultry products, which boosted imports. In 2024, imports climbed to 958 thousand metric tons, while drought affecting chicken feed production drove up domestic producer prices significantly, and consumers increasingly turned to frozen chicken for its price stability and longer shelf life.

Production chicken meat and offal in SADC

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

In 2020, SADC produced 2 533 K t of chicken meat and offal, marking a 6.0% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, reaching 7.2%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 19 K t, while the highest volume was recorded in 2017, resulting in a 3.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, chicken meat and offal exports from SADC totaled 56 K t, which represents a 193.3% increase year-over-year. The largest decline was observed in 2019, at 52.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the primary destination for chicken meat and offal exports from SADC, accounting for 1.4% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Chicken meat and offal exports from SADC increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 106 M $ US, showing no significant change compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 105 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 2.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 0.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates remained the key partner for chicken meat and offal exports from SADC in value terms, with a share of 1.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

Imported chicken meat and offal volumes in SADC declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 933 K t, representing a 5.8% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 27.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil (42.1% of imports in volume), the United States (25.9% of imports in volume), and Argentina (4.5% of imports in volume) were the main sources for imports, jointly accounting for 72.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

SADC's chicken meat and offal import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 678 M $ US, marking a 20.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 35.6%, with an average annual decline of 13.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 102 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 22.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 4.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil (34.3% of imports in value terms), the United States (30.3% of imports in value terms), and Argentina (3.9% of imports in value terms) remained the leading sources in the import structure, with a combined share of 68.4% of total flows.

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

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