Prepared or preserved pork and offal market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for prepared or preserved pork in Sub-Saharan Africa began the period at 25 494 t in 2018, supported by a significant rise in pork consumption that had doubled since 2000, stimulating expansion in pig farming with annual herd growth of 5-10%. However, market volume fell to 13 456 t in 2019, even as local production increased to 3 058 t, constrained by the extensive nature of most farms which limited productivity gains despite evolving dietary habits towards more animal proteins.

Market decline persisted, reaching 9 028 t in 2021. During these years, urbanization and changing consumption patterns in cities like Dakar drove demand for pork, leading to intensified production systems that raised domestic output to 3 565 t by 2021. The region's low processing capacity for pork likely restricted the supply of prepared products, affecting overall market volume.

A recovery emerged in 2022 with market volume rising to 14 494 t, coinciding with global pork production growth of 2.5% and regional stability as African swine fever had less impact locally, allowing production to peak at 4 150 t. By 2023, market volume was 12 983 t, with cold chain infrastructure deficiencies hindering distribution. In 2024, consumer preferences shifted towards convenient, ready-to-eat products, fueling a 42% increase in import volumes, though high feed costs and insufficient cold storage continued to challenge the market.

Production prepared or preserved pork and offal in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared or preserved pork and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved pork and offal, 2017-2020

Production of prepared or preserved pork and offal in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 265 tonnes, marking a modest 6.8% gain compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 685 tonnes, when output fell by 7.2%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest rise, with production jumping by 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports prepared or preserved pork and offal from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed an unstable pattern over the period. In 2018, exports peaked at 1 715 tonnes, but by 2020 they had dropped to 316 tonnes, a 5.4-fold decrease. The 2020 figure represents a 7.4% year-on-year decline. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, when exports plummeted by 80.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a surge of 207.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Special Categories were the leading buyers of prepared or preserved pork and offal from Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 2.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of prepared or preserved pork and offal in value terms amounted to 7 285 thousand US dollars, down 15.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 17.1%, averaging an annual decline of 6.1%. The only notable increase was in 2019, when export value rose by 3.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Special Categories and the United Arab Emirates were the key markets for exports in value terms, together making up 2.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports prepared or preserved pork and offal to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced significant fluctuations during this timeframe. In 2018, imports reached their highest point at 24 525 tonnes, but by 2020 they had fallen to 8 444 tonnes, a 2.9-fold decrease. The 2020 volume represents a 21.4% year-on-year drop. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with imports falling by 56.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a jump of 147.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Italy, and France were the top sources for imports in kind. Portugal accounted for 25.6% of imports, Italy for 24.3%, and France for 8.6%, together comprising 58.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of prepared or preserved pork and offal into Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value stood at 28 273 thousand US dollars, an 11.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 16.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 35 145 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, imports in value terms were spread across many different markets. Even the largest destinations—France, Portugal, and Italy—combined represented only 47.1% of total import value.

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

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