Chicken meat and offal market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, South Africa's chicken meat production expanded steadily from 1.7 million tonnes to 2.0 million tonnes, supporting market volume growth which peaked at 2.3 million tonnes in 2020. The COVID‑19 lockdowns in 2020 reduced consumption and disrupted supply chains, but the market demonstrated resilience. This period also saw persistent pressures such as high feed costs due to the maize‑to‑chicken price ratio and competition from imported frozen bone‑in cuts, which accounted for over 96% of poultry imports.

The market volume began to contract from 2021 onward, falling to 2.2 million tonnes in 2023. A key driver was the feed price shock in late 2022, which raised broiler production costs by 30.6% year‑on‑year. This was compounded by a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak in 2023, disrupting supply and contributing to a 4.8% drop in production. Regulatory changes, including the gazetted brine limits for frozen chicken and the new labelling standards R‑2410 implemented in 2022, introduced additional compliance costs and affected product packaging.

Structural shifts were signaled by the South African Poultry Association's R1.8 billion investment to expand processing facilities and launch the AMIE Academy, fostering new contract‑grower segments. Advocacy for zero‑VAT on chicken and emerging export opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area also shaped the industry landscape, while draft regulations like R‑146 on quantitative ingredient declaration introduced further labelling requirements.

Production chicken meat and offal in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

South Africa was one of the world's leading producers of chicken meat and offal from 2018 to 2021, ranking 13th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2018-2021

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2018-2021

South Africa's chicken meat and offal production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 1 910 thousand tonnes, showing a modest increase of 1.2% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 9.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of decline, chicken meat and offal production in South Africa rebounded. In 2021, output was valued at 2 944 million US dollars, representing a significant 12.9% increase over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 4.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 607 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

South Africa exported 48.8 thousand tonnes of chicken meat and offal in 2021, marking a 5.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 3.4%, with an annualized decline of 1.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 51.8 thousand tonnes, which experienced the largest increase of 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Lesotho (46.1% of exports by volume), Mozambique (22.4%), and Namibia (13.7%) were the key export partners, collectively accounting for 82.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, South Africa's chicken meat and offal exports increased. In 2021, exports totaled 75.2 million US dollars, up 5.1% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 71.6 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, Lesotho (43.2% of exports by value), Mozambique (26.9%), and Namibia (14.1%) consistently served as the main export destinations, together representing 84.3% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports chicken meat and offal to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

South Africa's chicken meat and offal imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 405.2 thousand tonnes, which was 11.9% lower than the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 24.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil (59.6% of imports by volume), the United States (15.7%), and Argentina (6.5%) accounted for the largest share of imports, together comprising 81.9% of total import volumes.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of decline, South Africa's chicken meat and offal imports rose. In 2021, imports amounted to 316.2 million US dollars, an 11.8% increase over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 29.9%, with an annualized decline of 11.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 282.7 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 26.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Brazil (52.4% of imports by value), the United States (16.5%), and Ireland (6.3%) formed the core of imports, together accounting for 75.3% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021