Fresh or chilled duck meat market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled duck meat in South Africa declined from 1 663 t in 2018 to 1 253 t in 2020. This contraction was sharply accelerated in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted international trade and supply chains for poultry meat, affecting imports and local market activity.

A partial recovery lifted the market to 1 332 t in 2021, followed by a modest dip to 1 265 t in 2022 and a slight rise to 1 299 t in 2023. In 2023, new legislation governing moisture content and treatment of poultry meat introduced specific limits on solution absorption in chilled carcasses, potentially influencing production practices across the sector. Concurrent factors such as exchange rate movements, seasonal demand patterns, and animal feed price trends also shaped the market environment during this period.

Production fresh or chilled duck meat in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of fresh or chilled duck meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of fresh or chilled duck meat, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of fresh or chilled duck meat has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 1 226 tonnes, marking a slight increase of 0.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 2.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled duck meat from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, South Africa exported 65.2 tonnes of fresh or chilled duck meat, showing a gradual decline of 8.0% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 22.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 42.9 tonnes. That year also saw the largest percentage decrease of 49.2%, while 2020 experienced the biggest increase at 65.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia, Lesotho, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were the top markets for South Africa's fresh or chilled duck meat exports by volume. Namibia accounted for 27.5% of exports, Lesotho for 26.1%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 17.5%. Together, these three countries represented 71.1% 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, K $ US

After declining for two years, the value of fresh or chilled duck meat exports from South Africa rebounded in 2021. Exports reached 220 thousand US dollars, a sharp increase of 61.8% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 136 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 44.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Lesotho were the leading contributors to South Africa's fresh or chilled duck meat export value. Namibia held a 23.6% share, the Democratic Republic of the Congo 23.3%, and Lesotho 17.6%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 64.5% of total export flows in value terms.

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 fresh or chilled duck meat to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decrease, South Africa's imports of fresh or chilled duck meat rose in 2021. Imports reached 171.8 tonnes, an increase of 61.1% over the previous year. Despite this uptick, imports fell by 69% from 2018 to 2021, equating to an average annual decline of 32.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 106.7 tonnes, and the largest percentage drop occurred in 2019 at 58.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Thailand was the dominant source for South Africa's imports of fresh or chilled duck meat by volume, accounting for 77.2% of total flows. Other markets made up the remaining share, forming a long tail of smaller contributors.

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, K $ US

After two years of decline, South Africa's imports of fresh or chilled duck meat in value terms increased in 2021. Imports stood at 501 thousand US dollars, a steep rise of 63.7% compared to the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, import value decreased by 69.1%, with an average annual decline of 32.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 306 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2019 at 63.0%.

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

In the 2018-2021 period, Thailand played a leading role in South Africa's imports of fresh or chilled duck meat by value, with a share of 75.0% of total flows. The remainder was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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