Chicken meat and offal market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The Zambian chicken meat and offal market expanded from 51.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 56.5 thousand tons in 2019. This initial growth was fueled by long-term demographic and economic trends, including rapid urbanization, population growth, and rising incomes, which stimulated investments and intensified competition among established players like Zambeef and newer entrants that had joined the market in prior years. The sector's growing competitiveness was also reflected in a sharp increase in export volumes during 2019.

Market volume experienced a temporary dip in 2020 before recovering and then surging to a peak of 96.1 thousand tons in 2022, nearly double the 2018 level. This was followed by a significant contraction to 65.5 thousand tons in 2023. While specific drivers for these pronounced fluctuations are not highlighted in the available sources, the overall trajectory points to high volatility in supply and demand dynamics during this period.

By the end of the review period, the market landscape was shaped by ongoing inflationary pressures affecting meat prices and the regulatory framework established by the Food Safety Act of 2019, which governs storage, transport, and labeling. Concurrently, a discernible shift in consumer preferences towards organic and free-range meat products indicated an evolving demand structure within the market.

Production chicken meat and offal in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

Zambia's chicken meat and offal production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 49 031 tonnes, marking a slight increase of 1.1% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 3.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of chicken meat and offal production in Zambia was 62 462 thousand US dollars, showing a modest decline of 2.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 60 175 thousand US dollars. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018, with a 7.9% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

Zambia's chicken meat and offal export volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 9 474 tonnes, remaining largely stable compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 764.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 105.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, nearly all of Zambia's chicken meat and offal exports in volume terms went to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounted for 92.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, followed by a peak in 2019, resulting in an 8.3-fold variation. In 2020, Zambia's cross-border shipments of chicken meat and offal reached 12 069 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate decline of 3.4% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 497 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 439.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the dominant buyer of chicken meat and offal from Zambia, capturing 91.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed volatility over the observed period. The minimum volume was in 2017, rising to a maximum in 2019, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia's chicken meat and offal imports were recorded at 15 341 tonnes, down by 12.1% compared to 2019. The peak was in 2019 at 17 455 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 217.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (23.2% of import volume), Brazil (18.3%), and South Africa (16.7%) were consistently the main sources for Zambia's chicken meat and offal imports, together making up 58.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. The lowest value was in 2017, followed by a peak in 2019, showing a 3.2-fold variation. In 2020, chicken meat and offal deliveries to Zambia amounted to 22 301 thousand US dollars, which is 5.9% lower than in 2019. The maximum value was in 2019 at 23 693 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 198.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands (21.9% of import value), South Africa (18.4%), and Brazil (18.0%) remained the key sources for Zambia's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms, together accounting for 58.4% of total flows.

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

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