Prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

After stable production around 4 000 t in 2018-2020, the market volume for prepared or preserved poultry meat and offal in South Africa declined from a peak of 2 983 t in 2020 to 1 817 t in 2023. This contraction was driven by sharply rising feed costs, which accelerated in 2021-2022 due to global soybean and maize price volatility compounded by pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in key production regions further constrained raw material availability and increased production costs.

The industry responded with cost-control and affordability strategies. In 2022, South Africa imposed a blanket ban on Brazilian poultry imports following HPAI detections, altering import patterns and focusing attention on domestic supply. Simultaneously, the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) applied to zero-rate VAT for frozen bone-in chicken portions and offal to improve consumer affordability. By 2024, total poultry meat production in the country grew by 3.1%, but the processed segment remained under pressure from high energy and feed prices.

At the consumer level, poultry retained its advantage as a more affordable protein source compared to beef and mutton, sustaining baseline demand even amid inflation. Imports of chicken meat, including offal, increased by 11.2% in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting ongoing reliance on foreign supplies to balance the market. The industry continues to work on improving access to export markets, especially the EU, and on implementing regulatory changes in labeling and packaging.

Production prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked 28th globally in production volume of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal.

Top producers of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal, 2018-2021

World map of production of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 4 117 tonnes, down 1.8% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 2.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 195 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.9%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

South Africa's production of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 11 469 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 2.0% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production value fell by 9.8%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, South Africa exported 2 409 tonnes of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal, marking a 21.8% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 34.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.5%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 2 851 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 59.7%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest decline of 30.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Namibia, Botswana, and Eswatini were the top buyers of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal from South Africa, accounting for 64.5% of total exports in volume. Namibia led with 27.9%, followed by Botswana at 22.4%, and Eswatini at 14.2%.

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, K $ US

In 2021, the value of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal exports from South Africa reached 6 710 thousand US dollars, up 21.5% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value increased by 18.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 452 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 48.9%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 5 520 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 34.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia and Botswana each accounted for 26.3% of South Africa's prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal exports by value, while Eswatini contributed 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented 65.7% of total export value.

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 prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's imports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 998 tonnes, a sharp rise of 29.7% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 28.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.7%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 755 tonnes, which also saw a decline of 2.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil dominated South Africa's imports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal by volume, holding a 73.0% share of total flows, while other markets had relatively smaller shares.

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, K $ US

In 2021, the value of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal imports into South Africa amounted to 2 131 thousand US dollars, a 41.0% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import value rose by 8.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 562 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020 at 1 511 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 41.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Brazil and Germany were the leading sources for South Africa's imports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal by value, together accounting for 81.7% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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

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