Pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market for pig and poultry fat in the SADC region stood at 41 837 t in 2018, then dipped slightly to 40 647 t in 2019. This decline occurred alongside the ongoing effects of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak, which disrupted poultry exports, while the newly launched Poultry Master Plan aimed to boost local production. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly altered demand patterns, as consumers sought affordable protein, helping drive the market up to 46 995 t.

Market expansion continued from 2021 to 2023, reaching 51 687 t by the end of the period. This growth was sustained by the sector's recovery from earlier disruptions and reinforced by nutritional studies highlighting lean pork as a healthy option, which shifted consumer interest toward pork products. The period saw steady annual increases, with the market volume rising by over 10 000 t from its 2019 low.

Regulatory changes in 2024, including new limits on brine levels in frozen chicken, along with port logistical delays and global supply chain pressures, continued to shape the operating environment for meat and fat producers in the region.

Production pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2017-2020

In 2020, SADC produced 43,604 tonnes of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, marking a significant increase of 20.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 35.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 6.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 20.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. From 2017 to 2018, the peak-to-trough amplitude was 6.7 times. In 2020, exports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from SADC totaled 88 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 39.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 40 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 85.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 263.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (8.3% of exports in kind), Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (3.1% of exports in kind), and Brazil (1.0% of exports in kind) formed the core group of markets for exports in kind, together accounting for 12.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The highest value was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.9 times. In 2020, exports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from SADC amounted to 238,000 US dollars, reflecting a strong decline of 22.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 117,000 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 79.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 164.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (4.6% of exports in value terms), Spain (3.4% of exports in value terms), and Brazil (2.2% of exports in value terms) remained the key partners for exports in value terms, together accounting for 10.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to SADC

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, SADC imported 3,479 tonnes of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, down by 21.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3,165 tonnes, while the maximum value was in 2019 at 4,447 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 40.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (36.6% of imports in kind), Spain (30.1% of imports in kind), and France (10.0% of imports in kind) formed the key group of partners for imports in kind of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to SADC, jointly representing 76.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their peak in 2019, falling to the lowest point in 2018, with a variation of 1.8 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to SADC came to 4,094,000 US dollars, indicating a decline of 14.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2,636,000 US dollars, while the maximum value was in 2019 at 4,793,000 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 17.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 81.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (28.8% of imports in value terms), Spain (28.0% of imports in value terms), and France (10.8% of imports in value terms) were the main markets for imports in value terms, together accounting for 67.5% of total flows.

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

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