Pork market in Laos

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the pork market volume in Laos grew steadily, reaching 104.5 thousand tonnes by 2023 from 86.7 thousand tonnes in 2018. This expansion was primarily driven by the Lao government's intensified efforts to promote commercial livestock farming, including pigs, to strengthen food security and local production. These policy initiatives stimulated domestic output, which rose from 86.3 thousand tonnes to 104.3 thousand tonnes over the same period, while pork imports remained relatively low.

In 2022, a 3% growth in the agricultural sector, with a focus on reducing imports and boosting local food production, further supported domestic pork output, contributing to a market volume of 101.3 thousand tonnes. By 2023, the market experienced rapid meat price inflation, with pork prices rising 40% between January and December 2022, coupled with continued depreciation of the Lao kip. These factors increased production costs for farmers and influenced consumer purchasing behavior, yet market volume still climbed to 104.5 thousand tonnes as domestic production remained robust.

Entering 2024, the government implemented enhanced measures to stabilize prices and control inflation, including requirements for reporting production costs and displaying product information in Lao language and kip, which affected meat marketing. Improved transport infrastructure, notably the China-Laos railway, facilitated regional trade and potential supply chain benefits for the pork sector. Climatic factors like drought and floods, along with currency depreciation, impacted agricultural inputs, but Laos's focus on food self-sufficiency continued to shape the pork market's trajectory throughout the period.

Production pork in Laos

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Laos has seen its pork production grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 97 533 tons of pork, marking a 4.7% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 86 294 tons, when output fell by 1.2%. In contrast, the most significant growth occurred in 2019, with a 7.9% increase.

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

Exports pork from Laos

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. The peak export volume was reached in 2019, while the trough occurred in 2018, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 313 times. In 2020, Laos exported 239 tons of pork, a sharp decline of 45.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was just 1 ton in 2018, whereas the maximum was 442 tons in 2019. The largest drop in exports happened in 2018, with a 91.9% decrease, while the most substantial surge was in 2019, with an extraordinary 31 194.9% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Thailand, and Myanmar were the top buyers of pork from Laos, accounting for 65.8% of total exports by volume. China led with 61.0% of exports, followed by Thailand at 2.7% and Myanmar at 2.1%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a highly volatile market environment. Export values swung dramatically, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 183 times between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018. In 2020, pork exports from Laos amounted to 349 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 45.5% decrease from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 thousand US dollars, while the maximum reached 639 thousand US dollars in 2019. The steepest decline occurred in 2018, with a 91.3% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a remarkable 18 157.1% rise.

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

During 2017–2020, three key markets—China, Thailand, and Myanmar—collectively accounted for 66.2% of Laos's total pork export value.

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

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

Imports pork to Laos

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was marked by volatility over these years. The highest import volume was observed in 2020, and the lowest in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.4 times. In 2020, Laos imported approximately 1 987 tons of pork, showing a notable increase of 10.8% compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was 456 tons in 2018, when imports fell by 21.2%. The most significant growth occurred in 2019, with a 293.3% surge.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand and Germany dominated Laos's pork imports by volume, together making up 83.1% of the total. The remaining share was spread across other countries, each contributing smaller amounts.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Pork imports into Laos declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 882 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp drop of 25.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 43.5%, averaging an annual decline of 17.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Myanmar, and Germany were the main suppliers of pork to Laos in value terms, jointly accounting for 78.4% of total imports. Thailand led with 54.1%, followed by Myanmar at 13.0% and Germany at 11.4%.

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

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