Lard and poultry fats market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The lard and poultry fats market in Eastern Asia experienced a significant contraction from 2018 to 2020, with production falling from 2,504 thousand tons to 1,987 thousand tons. This decline was primarily triggered by the outbreak of African Swine Fever, which drastically reduced the swine herd and forced many small-scale and high-cost farmers to exit the market. The epidemic created a period of severe industry disruption and volatile prices.

From 2021 onwards, production entered a strong recovery phase, reaching 2,666 thousand tons by 2023. This rebound was driven by a multi-year industry restructuring. The government's implementation of a swine production capacity regulation plan, which set a target for the breeding sow inventory, helped guide the recovery. Simultaneously, the sector saw accelerated consolidation, with large-scale farming enterprises expanding their market share due to advantages in capital, technology, and disease prevention capabilities. The widespread adoption of intelligent farming technologies and enhanced biosecurity measures further boosted production efficiency.

Despite the recovery in volume, the industry faced new challenges by 2023, including periods of significant losses and low prices. This pressure accelerated the exit of remaining smallholders and intensified the focus on cost control and operational efficiency among major players. The continued application of smart farming and data-driven precision husbandry helped sustain production growth even during this phase of price weakness, solidifying the market's shift toward规模化 and集约化 operations.

Production lard and poultry fats in Eastern 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

Eastern Asia's production of lard and poultry fats has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1,987 thousand tons, which represents a moderate decrease of 3.8% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 22%, averaging an annual decline of 8.0%.

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

Exports lard and poultry fats from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Asia exported 5,261 tons of lard and poultry fats, marking a sharp year-over-year increase of 110.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 27.7%, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2018, at 114.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main importers of lard and poultry fats from Eastern Asia were the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam, accounting for 16.5%, 12.1%, and 0.5% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 29.1% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export values varied significantly, with a low in 2017 and a high in 2020, representing a 4.9-fold difference. In 2020, Eastern Asia exported lard and poultry fats worth 8,188 thousand US dollars, which is 205.5% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, at 29.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the key markets for Eastern Asia's lard and poultry fats exports in value terms were the Philippines, Singapore, and New Zealand, with shares of 35.0%, 7.0%, and 0.9%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 42.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports lard and poultry fats to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

After increasing for two years, imports of lard and poultry fats into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 6,675 tons, a sharp drop of 32.6% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 9,907 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 33.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Canada, and France were the primary sources of lard and poultry fats imports into Eastern Asia in kind, with shares of 41.1%, 12.7%, and 9.1%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 62.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of lard and poultry fats into Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 9,421 thousand US dollars, a contraction of 26.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 8.2%, with an average annual decrease of 2.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 13,302 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 29.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Canada, and France led as the main suppliers of lard and poultry fats to Eastern Asia in value terms, with shares of 49.6%, 11.3%, and 10.7%, respectively. Their combined share reached 71.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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