Pork market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

Pork production in Ethiopia rose from 2 236 t in 2018 to 2 532 t in 2023, with market size expanding similarly. This growth was underpinned by a broader increase in per capita meat consumption and a persistent consumer preference for fresh meat purchased through informal markets, which sustained steady domestic demand. The market experienced a slight dip in 2021, coinciding with reported infrastructure and technology shortcomings in meat processing and the value chain that affected efficiency.

Fluctuations in beef prices, notably a rise in 2020, made pork a more affordable protein alternative for some consumers, supporting production volumes. Subsequent investments in cold chain infrastructure and logistics, along with new regulations for meat export traceability and halal certification implemented from 2022, modernized sector operations and improved distribution capabilities, aiding the rebound and continued growth through 2023.

While pork exports remained negligible, the regulatory push for quality and certification standards encouraged better handling and storage practices across the meat industry. The enduring dominance of informal markets and fresh product preference, coupled with ongoing logistical upgrades, provided a stable foundation for the market's gradual expansion throughout the period.

Production pork in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's pork production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 427 tons of pork, marking a 4.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 13.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

Exports pork from Ethiopia

According to desk-based market analysis, Ethiopia did not export any pork between 2017 and 2020.

Imports pork to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable pattern during this period. Imports peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2017, fluctuating by a factor of three. In 2020, Ethiopia imported 3 965 kg of pork, a sharp decline of 50.7% compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 047 kg, with the largest increase that year reaching 186.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and China were the dominant sources for pork imports in kind, together making up 83.1% of total imports. Other countries contributed smaller shares individually.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market experienced volatility over the observed timeframe. Between 2019 and 2018, values swung by a factor of 2.1 from peak to trough. In 2020, foreign pork supplies to Ethiopia totaled 27 744 US dollars, showing a significant drop of 13.0% from the year before. The lowest value was in 2018 at 15 502 US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 31 893 US dollars. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 16.6%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 105.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, China, and Germany were consistently the top sources for pork imports in value terms. Italy accounted for 68.6% of import value, China for 10.0%, and Germany for 7.8%, together representing 86.3% of total import flows.

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

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