Pork market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the introduction of HACCP-based regulations for meat processors and a listeriosis outbreak led to stricter production standards and inspection regimes. The following year, African Swine Fever cases in neighboring Mozambique triggered tighter import controls, reducing pork imports, while new classification and labeling rules under the Meat Safety Act affected domestic production. These factors contributed to a decline in the pork market size to 991 thousand metric tons in 2019. By 2020, a surge in international pork prices due to ASF increased import costs, prompting retailers to promote locally-produced chilled pork, which helped the market recover to 1,118 thousand metric tons.

From 2021 onward, continued ASF outbreaks in Southern Africa reinforced import-substitution incentives, supported by government pilot subsidies for small-scale pork processors. The release of a beef market value-chain profile also encouraged pork exports within SADC. In 2022, new standards for raw meat products, mandating flavor descriptors and moisture limits, influenced product development, and a temporary rebate on anti-dumping duties for poultry signaled active trade policy adjustments. By 2023, rising feed price volatility due to global commodity shocks raised production costs, but producers adapted by shifting focus to chilled pork lines to maintain margins. As a result, the market grew steadily, reaching 1,285 thousand metric tons in 2023.

Production pork in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

In 2020, SADC produced 1 052 K t of pork, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 16.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 32.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019 at 3.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 18.5%.

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

Exports pork from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, cross-border pork shipments from SADC rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 4.7 K t, representing a substantial 42.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3.3 K t, while the most significant decline occurred in 2018 at 31.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong (accounting for 2.3% of exports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (0.7%), and China (0.6%) were the primary destinations for SADC pork exports. Together, these three markets represented 3.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Pork exports from SADC declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 23.3 M $ US. This reflected a 7.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Hong Kong (2.2% of exports in value terms), the United Arab Emirates (2.1%), and China (0.9%) formed the key group of trading partners for SADC pork exports. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 5.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports pork to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

Pork imports into SADC declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 70.5 K t. This represented a 19.6% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 50.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 21.1%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 160.7 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 45.4%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 at 11.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Germany, and Portugal remained the dominant sources for pork imports into SADC, collectively accounting for 68.9% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Pork imports into SADC declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 114.3 M $ US. This represented a 19.8% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 45.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 18.1%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 213.0 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 33.1%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 at 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil (32.1% of imports in value terms), Germany (20.2%), and Portugal (8.1%) were the largest suppliers of pork to SADC. Together, these three countries accounted for 60.3% of total import value.

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

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