Poultry meat and offal market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Poultry meat production in West Africa increased from 1 706 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 815 thousand tons in 2019, as the gradual industrialization of production systems began to expand output. This growth occurred despite high feed prices, which represented 60-70% of production costs and constrained farmer profitability. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains, temporarily reducing production to 1 759 thousand tons and accentuating the region's reliance on imported frozen poultry to meet demand.

Output recovered to 1 881 thousand tons in 2021, supported by the growing use of e-commerce platforms which improved the distribution of frozen meat and made products more accessible. A significant rise to 2 022 thousand tons followed in 2022, directly driven by voluntary public policies in countries like Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Nigeria that aimed to limit poultry imports and foster food self-sufficiency. These measures stimulated the local poultry sector, although volatile grain prices continued to influence feed costs and production economics.

Production stabilized at 2 020 thousand tons in 2023, as consolidation in the poultry feed market—including acquisitions like Avisen by Olam Agri—increased regional capacity but coincided with raw material price fluctuations that caused partial production stops. Consumer preferences shifted towards convenient chilled or frozen products and protein-rich diets, supported by the expansion of modern retail channels. By 2024, ongoing nutritional transition linked to urbanization and rising incomes further boosted consumption, while investments in cold chain infrastructure aimed to enhance supply chain efficiency.

Production poultry meat and offal in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

After rising for two consecutive years, poultry meat and offal production in Western Africa experienced a decline. In 2020, the region produced 1,759 thousand tons, which represents a 3.1% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 8.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1,815 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.4%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Western Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The export market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at just 0.2 thousand tons, marking a dramatic 98.2% year-over-year decline. This contrasts sharply with the peak in 2018 when exports totaled 19.8 thousand tons, representing an 84-fold difference between the two years. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a 40.9% rise.

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

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, M $ US

Export values displayed considerable volatility throughout the period. In 2020, Western Africa's poultry meat and offal exports amounted to just $0.5 million, a substantial 97.6% decrease compared to the previous year. This contrasts with the peak in 2018 when exports reached $31.2 million, showing a 65-fold fluctuation between these years. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 35.1%.

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

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 poultry meat and offal to Western Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Western Africa's poultry meat and offal imports reached 589.6 thousand tons in 2020, representing a significant 28.0% increase year-over-year. Over the broader 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 49.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 7.9% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Africa's import sources were quite diverse. The top three suppliers - the United States (19.2% of imports), Belgium (14.6%), and the Netherlands (13.2%) - together accounted for just 47.1% of total imports. This means that more than half of all imports, specifically 52.9%, came from numerous other countries, indicating a broad and varied partner landscape.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Western Africa imported $495.1 million worth of poultry meat and offal, showing a substantial 48.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 51.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 14.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 12.4% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (18.6% of import value), the Netherlands (14.3%), and Belgium (10.9%) were among the largest suppliers of poultry meat and offal to Western Africa. However, even combined, these three countries represented only 43.8% of total import value, demonstrating that Western Africa maintains a broadly diversified base of 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