Chicken meat and offal market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Poultry meat and offal production in Sub-Saharan Africa grew from 3.7 million tons in 2018 to 4.1 million tons in 2023, driven by the expansion of local commercial poultry enterprises and sustained productivity gains. The region's production had increased by nearly 50% over the preceding decade, as noted in 2018, laying a foundation for further growth. Companies like EthioChicken, which distributed 35 million chicks annually, strengthened local capacity, while partnerships between producers and international fast-food chains, such as KFC with Coqivoire in Côte d'Ivoire, opened new markets for traceable, high-quality locally sourced chicken.

The total market volume expanded from 5.4 million tons in 2018 to 5.8 million tons in 2023, despite fluctuations in import levels. Protective trade policies, including South Africa's doubling of import tariffs on poultry in 2020, aimed to curb low-priced imports and support domestic output. However, reliance on foreign supply persisted, with imports reaching 1.8 million tons in 2023. In 2021, rising costs for key feed ingredients like maize pressured producers, but consolidation in the feed sector—exemplified by Olam Agri's acquisition of Avisen—enhanced supply chain efficiency.

By 2022, industry efforts to improve packaging, traceability, and product quality helped meet growing consumer demand for premium local meat. However, production dipped slightly to 4.1 million tons in 2023, while imports continued to rise, reaching 2 million tons in 2024, underscoring the ongoing tension between local production growth and dependence on international shipments.

Production chicken meat and offal in Sub-Saharan 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

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa produced 3 768 thousand tonnes of chicken meat and offal, which remained relatively stable compared to 2019. Production reached its peak in 2019 at 3 769 thousand tonnes. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production increased by 6.8%, representing an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 5.9%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of chicken meat and offal declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, with a volume of 32 thousand tonnes. This figure was broadly stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 56.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 24.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the primary market for chicken meat and offal exports from Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 1.2% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of chicken meat and offal exports from Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 108 million US dollars. This represented a year-over-year reduction of 13.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 14.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 134 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.8% that year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates remained the principal buyer of chicken meat and offal from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms, accounting for 1.6% of total exports.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Sub-Saharan Africa's imports of chicken meat and offal increased in 2020, reaching approximately 1 662 thousand tonnes. This marked a moderate year-over-year increase of 5.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 578 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.9% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil (29.9% of imports in volume), the United States (25.4%), and Belgium (6.6%) were the key sources for chicken meat and offal imports into Sub-Saharan Africa. Together, these three countries accounted for 61.9% of total import flows in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of chicken meat and offal imports into Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling approximately 1 317 million US dollars. This represented a slight drop of 0.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13%, with an average annual decline of 4.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 614 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 6.5% that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 17.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (28.1% of imports in value), Brazil (25.3%), and Poland (6.1%) were the leading suppliers of chicken meat and offal to Sub-Saharan Africa. Their combined share reached 59.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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