Pork market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the pork market in Central Asia experienced a significant contraction, with market volume declining from 110.2 thousand tonnes to 71.4 thousand tonnes. The introduction of tariff quotas on meat imports in Kazakhstan at the start of the period aimed to regulate import volumes, while state support for the meat industry was directed toward sector development. However, these measures did not prevent a sustained drop in domestic pork production, which fell from 107.2 thousand tonnes to 63.6 thousand tonnes over the same span.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reduced sales of meat products, and a concurrent shift in consumer preferences toward healthier meats like chicken and turkey began to pressure pork consumption. By 2021, a reduction in export shipments and domestic sales contributed to a further decline in output. This trend was compounded by inflationary pressures, which increased pork prices and likely dampened demand.

In the following years, despite the extension of tax benefits and import quotas for pork to support the market, overall market volume continued to shrink as production fell. Import growth, rising from 3.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 7.8 thousand tonnes in 2023, partially offset the decline in domestic supply but could not reverse the downward trajectory in total pork consumption.

Production pork in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Central Asia's pork production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 81.0 K t of pork, marking a slight year-over-year decrease of 1.1%. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 38.9%, with an average annual decline of 15.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Central Asia's pork production volume has dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 149.3 M $ US, holding steady compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 56.7%, translating to an annualized rate of 24.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports pork from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. The period saw a peak in 2019 and a low in 2017, with a 2.6-fold fluctuation. Central Asia exported 776 t of pork in 2020, a small drop of 2.0% from 2019. The maximum value was 792 t in 2019, which also recorded the largest increase at 82.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Armenia were the key players in Central Asia's pork exports in kind, together accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After rising for two years, Central Asia's pork export volume declined. The region exported 1 431 K $ US of pork in 2020, a loss of 1.4% from the previous year. Over 2017-2020, exports grew by 80.1%, with an average annual increase of 21.7%. The peak was 1 451 K $ US in 2019, which also saw the largest rise at 41.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia and Armenia were the main destinations for pork exports in value terms, together making up 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports pork to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. It peaked in 2020 and hit a low in 2019, with a 2-fold difference. In 2020, Central Asia's pork imports were recorded at 5 279 t, up 98.2% year-over-year. The minimum was 2 664 t in 2019, which also had the largest decline at 23.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for pork imports in kind to Central Asia were Russia (62.7% of imports), the United States (11.8%), and Germany (7.8%), together representing 82.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. From 2020 to 2019, there was a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.3 times. In 2020, Central Asia's pork imports totaled 11 695 K $ US, a 126.5% increase from the year before. The minimum was 5 163 K $ US in 2019, which also recorded the largest drop at 26.5%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Russia was the primary source for pork imports in value terms, accounting for 75.9% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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