Pork market in Singapore

Earlier Report Observations

Singapore's pork market has no domestic production, relying entirely on imports since local pig farming ceased decades ago. The market volume dipped to 96.7 thousand tonnes in 2019 as environmental considerations prompted a shift toward frozen or chilled meat from nearer countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This was followed by a rebound to 110.5 thousand tonnes in 2020, driven by increased consumer demand for frozen meat due to its perceived convenience and food safety benefits.

The market then contracted slightly through 2021 and 2022, falling to 98.9 thousand tonnes. This period was influenced by African Swine Fever outbreaks in Indonesia, which suspended live pig imports and forced a switch to alternative chilled and frozen sources. Concurrently, broader inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict raised costs and challenged market access.

In 2023, the market volume recovered to 103.1 thousand tonnes. Continued inflation and supply disruptions persisted, but importers successfully sourced more pork from alternative countries. Consumer preferences also evolved, with a growing emphasis on premium, fresh, and traceable meat products, even as interest in plant-based and cultured alternatives introduced new dynamics to the protein sector.

Production pork in Singapore

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Singapore's pork production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 27 462 tonnes of pork, marking a significant 21.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 32.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.9%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 19 562 tonnes, which also saw the steepest decline of 5.4%.

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

Exports pork from Singapore

Exports in kind, t

Singapore's pork exports have expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 4 387 tonnes of pork, a remarkable 238.7% surge compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports skyrocketed by 468.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 78.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the top buyers of Singapore's pork by volume were Brazil (22.9% of exports), Malaysia (21.5%), and Brunei Darussalam (20.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 64.7% of Singapore's total pork exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Singapore's pork export value has risen for the third year running. In 2020, exports reached 14.8 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 25.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value jumped by 455.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 77.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia (34.4% of export value), Brazil (18.8%), and Brunei Darussalam (18.2%) were the leading destinations for Singapore's pork exports by value. Combined, they made up 71.3% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports pork to Singapore

Imports in kind, t

Singapore's pork imports reached 87 464 tonnes in 2020, showing a strong 16.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports grew by 5.7%, with an average annual increase of 1.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 75 366 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 87 886 tonnes. The most notable drop occurred in 2019, with a 14.2% decrease.

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

During 2017-2020, Brazil (48.1% of import volume), Australia (14.7%), and the Netherlands (12.3%) were the primary sources for Singapore's pork imports by volume. These three countries together supplied 75.1% of the total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year downturn, Singapore's pork import value rebounded in 2020. Imports totaled 311.4 million US dollars, representing a dramatic 29.4% year-over-year gain. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 11.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 240.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil (39.2% of import value), Australia (18.3%), and the Netherlands (14.8%) formed the key markets for Singapore's pork imports by value. Collectively, they accounted for 72.3% of the total import value.

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

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