Poultry meat and offal market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, South Africa's poultry market volume grew from 4.0 million tons to 4.2 million tons, while its value increased from $6.1 billion to $6.6 billion. Domestic production rose by 12% to 3.9 million tons, supported by the launch of the Poultry Master Plan in 2018 and protective measures such as higher tariffs on frozen poultry imports introduced in March 2020. These policies stimulated sector investment and reduced import reliance, with import volume falling by 34% over the period.

The market contracted in 2023 to 4.1 million tons in volume and $5.5 billion in value, as production dropped by 5% to 3.7 million tons. This decline was influenced by outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which disrupted production cycles, and rising costs due to feed price inflation and the national energy crisis. The global poultry price index surge in 2022 fed through to higher retail prices, while continued investment in cold-chain infrastructure supported the chilled poultry segment.

Production poultry meat and offal in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

South Africa was one of the world's top producers of poultry meat and offal from 2018 to 2021, ranking 15th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2018-2021

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2018-2021

South Africa's poultry meat and offal production grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 3 835 thousand tonnes, up 1.2% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 9.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of decline, poultry meat and offal production in South Africa rebounded. In 2021, output was valued at 5 935 million US dollars, a strong 12.6% increase over 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 4.8%, with an average annual growth of 1.6%. The lowest value was 5 268 million US dollars in 2020, which also saw the largest decline of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports poultry meat and offal from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, South Africa exported 49.5 thousand tonnes of poultry meat and offal, a 6.9% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 4.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The peak was in 2020 at 53.2 thousand tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Namibia were the primary destinations for South Africa's poultry meat and offal exports by volume. Lesotho accounted for 45.2% of exports, Mozambique for 22.5%, and Namibia for 13.5%, together making up 81.3% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, South Africa's poultry meat and offal exports in value terms increased. In 2021, export value reached 76.7 million US dollars, a modest 3.6% rise from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 8.4%, with an average annual decline of 2.9%. The lowest value was 74.0 million US dollars in 2020, while the largest drop of 6.8% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Namibia were the main destinations for South Africa's poultry meat and offal exports by value. Lesotho represented 42.2% of export value, Mozambique 27.0%, and Namibia 13.9%, together accounting for 83.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports poultry meat and offal to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

South Africa's imports of poultry meat and offal declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 430.7 thousand tonnes, down 11.2% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 23.6%, with an average annual decline of 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil, the United States, and Argentina were the leading sources of South Africa's poultry meat and offal imports by volume. Brazil supplied 58.1% of imports, the United States 16.2%, and Argentina 6.2%, together comprising 80.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of decline, South Africa's poultry meat and offal imports in value terms increased. In 2021, imports totaled 359.7 million US dollars, a substantial 14.7% rise from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 26.2%, with an average annual decline of 9.6%. The lowest value was 313.5 million US dollars in 2020, which also saw the largest drop of 25.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil, the United States, and Spain were the main suppliers of poultry meat and offal to South Africa by value. Brazil accounted for 50.5% of import value, the United States for 17.3%, and Spain for 6.5%, together making up 74.3% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021