Market research

Pork market in Lesotho

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the pork market in Lesotho showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023. After starting at 2 279 t in 2018, it contracted to 2 054 t the following year before surging to a peak of 2 645 t in 2020. The market then declined to 2 300 t in 2021, recovered to 2 617 t in 2022, and settled at 2 473 t in 2023.

Domestic pork production generally increased across the period, rising from 580 t in 2018 to 781 t in 2023, with a notable jump in 2020. Import volumes, which form the majority of supply, fluctuated significantly, falling to 1 402 t in 2019 and reaching 1 873 t in 2022 before dipping again.

In 2024, a regional suspension of processed meat imports from South Africa affected the broader meat industry in Lesotho. During the same period, a growing consumer preference for more affordable poultry meat continued to shape protein consumption patterns in the country.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Lesotho
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Lesotho in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Lesotho in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production pork in Lesotho

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Pork production in Lesotho has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 919 tons of pork, marking a significant 41.0% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 38.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 11.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 580 tons, while the largest decline occurred that same year with a 13.0% drop.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.0%)	12.5%	41.0%	11.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports pork from Lesotho

Industry analysis data indicates that Lesotho did not export any pork between 2017 and 2020.

Imports pork to Lesotho

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, pork imports into Lesotho have rebounded. In 2020, the country imported 1 726 tons of pork, representing a 23.1% increase over the previous year. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 10.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 402 tons, and the largest decline occurred that year with a 17.5% reduction.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.1%)	(17.5%)	23.1%	(3.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the leading supplier of pork to Lesotho, accounting for 69.8% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Lesotho's pork imports in value terms have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported pork worth K $ US, showing a moderate 9.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values fell by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 510 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred that year with a 13.8% rise.

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