Lard and poultry fats market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for lard and poultry fats in South Africa expanded to 4 125 tons in 2019, supported by the imposition of anti-dumping duties on EU chicken and the launch of the Poultry Master Plan to bolster local industry. Gradual tariff reductions from 2020 facilitated higher imports, helping sustain the market above 4 000 tons in 2021. However, by 2023, a combination of rising exports and ongoing trade uncertainties contributed to a sharp contraction, with market volume falling to 2 855 tons.

Production faced persistent cost and disease challenges. Record-high broiler feed costs in 2022, exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine war's impact on grain prices, severely constrained output, driving production down to 1 899 tons. Repeated avian influenza outbreaks required continual industry and government interventions, though production showed signs of recovery, reaching 2 484 tons in 2023.

More recent developments indicate a focus on rebuilding capacity and adapting to trade shifts. 2024 saw increased hatch and slaughter numbers, pointing to a production recovery. The start of 2025 was marked by a temporary import ban on Brazilian poultry following an avian influenza outbreak, disrupting supply chains and highlighting the sector's exposure to biosecurity shocks.

Production lard and poultry fats in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of lard and poultry fats, 2018-2021

World map of production of lard and poultry fats, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of lard and poultry fats has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 2,751 tonnes, marking a slight year-over-year decrease of 2.8%. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production overall increased by 7.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 2,908 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 13.2%.

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

Exports lard and poultry fats from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

South Africa's exports of lard and poultry fats have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 79 tonnes, representing a 19.7% drop compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 105 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 29.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for South Africa's lard and poultry fats exports in volume terms were Namibia, accounting for 53.8% of exports, Lesotho with 23.4%, and Botswana at 9.7%. Together, these three countries made up 86.9% 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

The export market showed an unstable trend over this period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 68 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2020 with 152 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, South Africa's lard and poultry fats exports amounted to 104 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 31.6% from the year before. The largest decrease was recorded in 2019 at 32.5%, and the largest increase was in 2020 at 124.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Namibia remained the dominant destination for South Africa's lard and poultry fats exports in value terms, holding a 71.6% share of total flows, with the remainder fragmented across other markets.

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 lard and poultry fats to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, South Africa's imports of lard and poultry fats stood at 1,418 tonnes, up 17.9% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 60.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 9.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 49.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, France dominated South Africa's imports of lard and poultry fats in volume terms, accounting for 92.4% of total flows.

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

South Africa's imports of lard and poultry fats have increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 1,668 thousand US dollars, rising 57.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports surged by 116.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 29.4%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, France was by far the main source for South Africa's lard and poultry fats imports in value terms, representing 96.1% of total flows.

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

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