Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in South Africa expanded consistently from 22,708 t in 2018 to 30,880 t in 2022. This growth was supported by rising average incomes, which boosted overall meat consumption, and by the renewal of industry levies for red meat until 2025, providing sustained support for sector development.

A slight contraction to 30,369 t occurred in 2023, coinciding with economic headwinds that reduced real disposable incomes and prompted a shift in consumer preferences toward more affordable protein sources like poultry, dampening demand for red meat products including pork.

Subsequent years saw the market influenced by disease outbreaks such as African Swine Fever and Foot-and-Mouth Disease, which impacted pork supply, alongside the implementation of new regulations for the classification, packing, and marking of raw processed meat products effective from October 2024, shaping production and market standards.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Globally, South Africa ranked as the 19th largest producer of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2018-2021

World map of production of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 29 913 tonnes, marking an 8.8% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 29.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.1%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

South Africa's production value for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 124.6 million US dollars, up 35.4% from the year before. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 39.5%, averaging an 11.7% annualized rate. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 86.9 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 2.8%.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

South Africa's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country exported 233.6 tonnes, a 12.9% increase compared to the prior year. However, from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 51.5%, with an average annual decline of 21.4%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 171.5 tonnes, when the largest drop of 64.4% occurred. The biggest increase was in 2020, at 20.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Namibia, Vietnam, and Lesotho—collectively made up 56.7% of South Africa's total exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork by volume.

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

South Africa's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 973 thousand US dollars, a sharp 40.5% rise year-over-year. Despite this, from 2018 to 2021, export value decreased by 47.9%, averaging a 19.5% annual decline. The lowest value was in 2019 at 582 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop that year at 68.8%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets by value—Vietnam, Namibia, and Mozambique—accounted for 50.7% of South Africa's total exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork.

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 salted, brined, dried or smoked pork to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports stood at 102.7 tonnes, a gradual 4.1% decrease from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 25.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy dominated South Africa's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork by volume, holding an 89.6% share, while other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

After two years of decline, South Africa's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in value terms increased. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 249 thousand US dollars, up 2.7% from the previous year. However, between 2018 and 2021, import value decreased by 12.9%, with an average annual rate of -4.5%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 1 216 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2019 at 9.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy was the nearly exclusive supplier of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork to South Africa, capturing 90.7% of total imports by value.

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

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