Pork market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The pork market in Middle Africa contracted sharply in 2019, with total volume falling to 308 thousand tons from 385 thousand tons the previous year, driven largely by a significant drop in import volumes. This was followed by stabilization in 2020 around 308 thousand tons. Earlier industry assessments had highlighted a structural production deficit, with a pig herd of 1.7 million heads yielding only 30 thousand tons of meat, underscoring a historical reliance on imports to meet domestic demand.

Market volume rebounded strongly in 2021, growing by 20% to 369 thousand tons, fueled by increased domestic production and recovering imports. This expansion coincided with the launch of a project to build a modern industrial pig slaughterhouse in Yaoundé, designed to increase processing capacity and modernize the supply chain. The market peaked at 385 thousand tons in 2022 but declined to 364 thousand tons in 2023. This recent contraction occurred against the backdrop of African Swine Fever becoming endemic, which continued to pressure the pig farming sector, while the commissioning of a modern pig market in the Far North region aimed to improve sales infrastructure for breeders.

Production pork in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Pork production in Middle Africa has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 225.8 thousand tons of pork, showing little change from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 237.4 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 4.8% decline, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 at 2.3%.

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

Exports pork from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes peaked in 2018 and then dropped to their lowest point in 2019, representing a sixfold difference. In 2020, Middle Africa exported 0.0 thousand tons of pork, marking a substantial 384.8% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand tons, while the maximum occurred in 2018 at 0.0 thousand tons. The most significant decline took place in 2019 with an 83.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary destinations for Middle Africa's pork exports were Côte d'Ivoire (47.5% of exports), Spain (4.9%), and Namibia (3.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 56.3% of the region's total pork export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market displayed considerable volatility during these years. From 2017 to 2018, export values showed a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.8 times. In 2020, Middle Africa's pork exports reached 0.1 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp year-over-year increase of 160.5%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 62.4% drop, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 at 176.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Middle Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Côte d'Ivoire (36.1% of export value), Spain (27.4%), and Namibia (6.7%) remained the key destinations for Middle Africa's pork exports by value. Collectively, these three markets represented 70.2% of the region's total export flows in monetary terms.

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

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

Imports pork to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Pork imports to Middle Africa have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 81.9 thousand tons, down 0.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 40%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -15.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 147.5 thousand tons. The most substantial drop occurred in 2019 with a 44.1% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 at 8.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil (45.7% of import volume), Germany (10.0%), and Belgium (9.3%) formed the core group of suppliers for Middle Africa's pork imports. Together, these three countries represented 65.0% of the region's total import flows by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of decline, pork imports to Middle Africa increased in 2020. Import value reached 96.0 million US dollars, up 1.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 37.5%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 14.5%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 94.4 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 36.2% decrease.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Brazil (38.3% of import value), Portugal (10.9%), and Belgium (10.8%) remained the principal suppliers of pork to Middle Africa by value. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 60.1% of the region's total pork imports in monetary terms.

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

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