Pork market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Bolivia's pork production increased from 109.2 thousand tons to 128.3 thousand tons, with market volume following a similar upward trend. This growth was supported by ongoing efforts to enhance the sanitary status of the sector, beginning with the official verification in 2018 that the country was free of classical swine fever virus and the publication of an updated General Animal Health Regulation. These steps laid the groundwork for future export opportunities and raised domestic production standards.

After a minor market contraction to 115.6 thousand tons in 2020, the state-owned company EMAPA maintained subsidies for agricultural production and marketing to stabilize internal supply and prices. Subsequent recovery and growth were reinforced by nationwide disease surveillance campaigns and the introduction of stricter traceability and labeling rules via SENASAG Resolution No. 0230/2024, which took effect in 2022. By 2023, production rose by 4%, bolstered by repeated government announcements of plans to start exporting pork in 30–60 ton lots once domestic demand was met.

The regulatory framework continued to evolve in 2024 with the approval of Supreme Decree No. 5098, which formalized subsidies through EMAPA, and the enforcement of the traceability resolution. Authorities also signaled a gradual export strategy, initially allocating up to 20% of production for foreign sales, while committing to intervene against price speculation that had driven retail prices higher.

Production pork in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, Bolivia's pork production experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 115.4 thousand tons of pork, marking a 2.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.9% overall, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest production level was reached in 2019 at 117.8 thousand tons, with that year also seeing the largest annual increase of 7.8%.

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

Exports pork from Bolivia

According to market reports, Bolivia did not export any pork between 2017 and 2020.

Imports pork to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Import volumes fluctuated dramatically, with the peak in 2019 being 8.9 times higher than the low in 2018. In 2020, Bolivia imported 147.8 tons of pork, representing a substantial decline of 56.7% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 38.2 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 341.4 tons. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, when imports surged by 794.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bolivia's pork imports were entirely sourced from just two countries: Brazil and Chile, which together accounted for 100% of all imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import value data shows irregular patterns, reflecting a highly volatile market. The peak import value in 2019 was 8.5 times greater than the lowest value in 2018. In 2020, Bolivia's pork imports were valued at 349.7 thousand US dollars, a sharp drop of 61.4% from the previous year. The minimum import value was recorded in 2018 at 107.1 thousand US dollars, while the maximum reached 905.3 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, when import value jumped by 745.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Chile continued to be the exclusive sources of Bolivia's pork imports by value, together representing 100% of total import expenditures.

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

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