Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in the MENA region contracted significantly from 2 024 metric tons in 2018 to 1 335 metric tons in 2021, a cumulative decline of over 30%. This downward trend was most pronounced between 2018 and 2019 when the market shrank by 13%, followed by further decreases of 12% in 2020 and 13% in 2021.

A reversal began in 2022, with market volume growing 10% to 1 465 metric tons. The recovery accelerated in 2023, reaching 1 668 metric tons – a 14% increase from the previous year and bringing the market closer to its 2018 level, though still 18% below it.

By 2024, market analysis highlighted a rising demand for salted, dried, or smoked meat and offal in the Middle East. This demand was partly driven by shifting consumer preferences towards processed and packaged ready-to-cook or ready-to-eat foods, a trend fueled by busier lifestyles and the pursuit of convenience.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2017-2020

In 2019, production of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork in MENA reached its lowest point at 190.1 tons. The following year, in 2020, output increased by 3.9% to 197.6 tons. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 24.8%, with an average annual decrease of 9.1%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 279.5 tons, which saw a 6.3% increase from the previous year. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 32.0% decline.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork from MENA

Exports in kind, t

Export levels showed significant volatility during this period. In 2018, exports hit a low of 44 tons, then surged by 190.2% in 2019 to reach a peak of 128 tons. By 2020, exports fell sharply by 50.5% to 63 tons. Overall, exports fluctuated 2.9 times between the 2018 low and 2019 high.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan, Liberia, and Hong Kong were the leading destinations for salted, brined, dried or smoked pork exports from MENA. Afghanistan accounted for 43.8% of exports in kind, Liberia for 11.2%, and Hong Kong for 10.5%. Together, these three countries represented 65.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2018, the value of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork exports from MENA was at its lowest, totaling 370 thousand US dollars. The following year, in 2019, exports surged by 39.4% to reach a peak of 516 thousand US dollars. By 2020, exports declined slightly by 3.5% to 498 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 21%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, with a 10.1% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan, Liberia, and Hong Kong remained the principal buyers of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork from MENA in value terms. Afghanistan accounted for 30.1% of export value, Liberia for 19.3%, and Hong Kong for 14.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 63.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork to MENA

Imports in kind, t

Imports of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork into MENA declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 405 tons, marking a substantial 17.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 29.1%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States were the main sources of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork imports into MENA. Italy accounted for 32.6% of imports in kind, the Netherlands for 20.9%, and the United States for 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented 61.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After rising for two years, imports of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork into MENA declined in 2020. Imports stood at 11 009 thousand US dollars, marking a controlled 9.4% drop compared to the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 12 147 thousand US dollars, following an 8.9% increase in 2018.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms. Italy accounted for 34.3% of import value, the Netherlands for 14.0%, and the United States for 13.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 61.7% of total import flows.

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

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