Pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, South American production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat expanded from 675 thousand tonnes to 883 thousand tonnes, while market volume increased from 655 thousand tonnes to 861 thousand tonnes. This growth was underpinned by Brazil's well-organized swine production chain, with numerous slaughterhouses ensuring consistent supply and quality. The rising popularity of frozen foods, attributed to factors like taste and texture, further stimulated consumption of frozen pork products from 2019 onward.

The market continued to grow through the early 2020s, bolstered by global expansion in frozen pork consumption due to wider retail availability. By 2023, strong external demand for Brazilian pork fat, salted pork, and frozen offal, coupled with lower feed costs from decreased corn and soybean meal prices, enhanced sector competitiveness and supported production increases.

In 2024, Brazilian pork exports maintained strong momentum, with revenue from fresh and frozen pork shipments rising 42% year-on-year in early May. Sector expectations of higher slaughter numbers to meet demand indicated continued support for production and export volumes, reinforcing the market's export-oriented trajectory.

Production pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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

South America's production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 748 K t, which represents a 6.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 087 M $ US, marking a 10.0% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 44.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 13.1%.

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

Exports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from South America

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, South America exported 27 842 t of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, up by 10.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 24.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 32.9%, when exports peaked at 33 199 t.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for South America's exports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in kind were Russia, accounting for 34.4% of exports, China with 22.2%, and Mexico at 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 71.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, South America exported pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat valued at 40 477 K $ US, a 13.5% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 38.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.5%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 6.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 30.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia led the structure of exports in value terms with 35.8%, followed by China at 27.4%, and Mexico at 7.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to South America

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, South America imported 11 522 t of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, a decline of 15.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 0.2%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat imports into South America. Spain accounted for 16.9% of imports in kind, Canada for 10.8%, and Germany for 9.3%, together making up only 37.0% of total imports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares, reflecting a fragmented market structure.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, South America's imports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat were valued at 21 658 K $ US, a reduction of 0.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 16 414 K $ US, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 21 851 K $ US. The largest decline was in 2018, at 16.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 33.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest group of suppliers of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to South America in value terms were the United States, with 17.8% of imports, Spain at 13.1%, and Canada at 10.6%. However, their combined share was limited to 41.5% of total imports, indicating a diversified country structure with many smaller contributors.

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

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