Pork market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The West African pork market volume grew from 748 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 767 thousand tonnes in 2019, supported by a continued expansion of pig herds and gradual intensification of production systems across the region. This growth occurred despite the market's structural reliance on imports and persistent constraints in slaughtering and processing infrastructure.

Market volume fell sharply to 692 thousand tonnes in 2020 and further to 659 thousand tonnes in 2021, as sanitary and economic constraints, including heightened biosecurity requirements and insufficient processing facilities, significantly impacted production and supply chains.

A recovery began in 2022, with the market rising to 682 thousand tonnes and reaching 693 thousand tonnes in 2023. This turnaround was fueled by active sourcing of international frozen pork suppliers to address local shortages, rising pork prices in several countries, and increased pork exports from Brazil and France to West Africa, which helped meet sustained regional demand.

Production pork in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Western Africa's pork production saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 663.4 thousand tons of pork, representing an 11.3% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 6.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.2%. The peak production level was recorded in 2019 at 748.3 thousand tons, when output increased by 2.8%.

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

Exports pork from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

Pork exports from Western Africa dropped for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to just 8 tons, showing a sharp decline of 55.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export volumes plummeted by 75.1%, averaging an annual decrease of 37.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 53 tons, which marked a significant increase of 62.9% that year. However, exports then fell dramatically by 65.5% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Western African pork exports were Myanmar, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Myanmar accounted for 23.9% of exports in volume, the United Kingdom for 1.5%, and Spain for 0.6%. Together, these three countries represented 26.0% of total pork exports from the region.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of pork exports from Western Africa continued to decline for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 31 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial drop of 69.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values decreased by 68.7%, with an average annual decline of 32.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 114 thousand US dollars, when exports increased by 15.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Myanmar and Spain were the key buyers of pork from Western Africa in value terms. Together, they accounted for 5.9% of total pork export value from the region.

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

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

Imports pork to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, pork imports into Western Africa rebounded. In 2020, imports reached 29 142 tons, showing a notable increase of 58.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes grew by 9.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 18 431 tons, following a decline of 22.1% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Africa sourced its pork imports from a diverse range of countries. Poland was the largest supplier, accounting for 22.5% of import volume, followed by Brazil at 15.6% and Germany at 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 49.8% of total pork imports into the region.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of contraction, the value of pork imports into Western Africa increased. In 2020, imports totaled 22 111 thousand US dollars, up by 47.2% compared to 2019. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 15 026 thousand US dollars, after a decline of 19.9% in 2018.

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

The geographical distribution of pork imports by value into Western Africa was highly diversified from 2017 to 2020. Poland accounted for 17.0% of import value, Spain for 16.0%, and Brazil for 14.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 47.3% of total import value, with the remaining 52.7% spread across numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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