Lard and poultry fats market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for lard and poultry fats in Asia showed a volatile trajectory from 2018 to 2023. After starting at 2 580 thousand tons in 2018, the market volume declined to 2 136 thousand tons in 2019 and dipped further to 2 043 thousand tons in 2020. A sharp recovery followed, with the market expanding to 2 606 thousand tons in 2021 and growing steadily to reach 2 731 thousand tons by 2023.

Import data for 2024 indicates a significant surge to 73 thousand tons, pointing to heightened demand. This increase coincided with reported market developments including rising consumer preference for natural and sustainably sourced ingredients, which boosted demand for premium animal fat products. The foodservice sector's growing interest in poultry fat, valued for its neutral taste and cost advantage in frying applications, also supported market activity.

Furthermore, technological advancements in rendering improved production efficiency, while increased investments in poultry production infrastructure in emerging Asian economies expanded capacity. The launch of new product lines, such as halal-certified processed chicken products, reflected evolving segments and regulatory influences on market dynamics.

Production lard and poultry fats in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

Asia's production of lard and poultry fats has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2,040 thousand tonnes, which represents a 4.0% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Asia's production of lard and poultry fats in value terms saw an increase. In 2020, the output was valued at 2,235 million US dollars, marking a modest 0.9% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 17.6%, with an average annual decline of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2,215 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 14.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports lard and poultry fats from Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Asia exported 8,289 tonnes of lard and poultry fats, representing a sharp increase of 139.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 32.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 166.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (8.3% of exports in kind), Chile (6.3%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (3.3%) consistently served as the main destinations for exports in kind. Together, they accounted for 17.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Exports varied by 4.5 times, from a low in 2017 to a high in 2020. In 2020, Asia exported 9,077 thousand US dollars worth of lard and poultry fats, up by 151.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 30.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 159.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, Italy (6.4% of exports in value terms), Chile (3.1%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (1.1%) formed the main group of destinations for exports in value terms. Together, they represented 10.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports lard and poultry fats to Asia

Imports in kind, t

Asia's imports of lard and poultry fats in kind declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 11,115 tonnes, reflecting a solid decline of 19.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 1.1%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 16,433 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 42.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in kind was scattered. The Netherlands (26.6% of imports in kind), France (11.7%), and Canada (8.1%) together accounted for 46.3% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Asia's imports of lard and poultry fats in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 15,201 thousand US dollars, marking a decline of 11.4% from a year earlier. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 20,320 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 34.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands (34.1% of imports in value terms), France (16.5%), and Canada (7.7%) formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms. Together, they represented 58.3% of total flows.

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

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