Chicken meat and offal market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, Zimbabwe's chicken meat market volume grew sharply from 84 000 tonnes to 115 700 tonnes, while production nearly doubled. This surge was driven by the industry's recovery from avian influenza, which allowed flocks to rebound, and by rising consumer demand for affordable protein. Simultaneously, growing interest in indigenous foods supported the expansion of free-range poultry farming, bolstered by producer associations.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily reduced hatchery flocks and day-old chick supplies due to breeding pauses, leading to a slight market dip to 112 800 tonnes. However, economic hardships also increased broiler farming as an income-generating activity for smallholders. By 2021, the launch of formal free-range poultry standards helped structure this segment, supporting market growth to 117 100 tonnes. Further expansion to 123 700 tonnes in 2022 was underpinned by a detailed meat market analysis under the EU-supported ZAGP program and a 62% rise in poultry feed production since 2016, reflecting strong sector investment.

In 2023, the market contracted to 112 900 tonnes amid economic strain and high inflation, which fueled the spread of illegal meat markets and shifted consumer preferences toward offal and fifth-quarter products sold through informal channels. Despite this, the industry maintained momentum with stockfeed production reaching 896 000 tonnes in 2024, while authorities stepped up efforts to regulate markets and protect public health.

Production chicken meat and offal in Zimbabwe

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, Zimbabwe produced 111.5 thousand tonnes of chicken meat and offal, marking a slight year-on-year reduction of 2.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 21.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 80.2 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 114.3 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 12.9%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 42.6%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Zimbabwe

Marketing analysis indicates that Zimbabwe did not export any chicken meat and offal from 2017 to 2020.

Imports chicken meat and offal to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

Chicken meat and offal imports into Zimbabwe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 1 288 tonnes, showing a moderate drop of 4.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 78.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -39.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Namibia clearly dominated Zimbabwe's import partner structure in volume terms, while other countries collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 685 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2017, reflecting a 6.7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Zimbabwe imported a total of 1 033 thousand US dollars of chicken meat and offal, showing a sharp increase of 50.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 75.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, two countries—South Africa and Namibia—concentrated most of Zimbabwe's imports in value terms for chicken meat and offal, while other markets were less significant individually.

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

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