Turkey meat and offal market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The turkey meat market in SADC entered a period of sustained contraction starting in 2018, with volume falling to 73 747 t. This initial decline was primarily triggered by an avian flu outbreak in key Northern Hemisphere supplier countries during 2017, which prompted South Africa to restrict imports of frozen turkey products. As the region lacks significant domestic production and relies heavily on imports from countries like the US and Brazil, these constraints sharply reduced supply. A concurrent shift in consumer preferences toward traditional braai dishes also contributed to weaker demand.

Market volume continued to decrease steadily, dropping to 68 433 t in 2019 and 67 594 t in 2020. The downward trend accelerated significantly in 2022, with volume plunging 18% to 54 529 t, before reaching 50 759 t in 2023. This multi-year contraction was directly driven by a continuous fall in imports, which declined from 58 866 t in 2018 to 34 797 t in 2023, far outweighing the modest growth in local production. Major retailers' enforcement of stringent quality standards further shaped the market by limiting the range of available products.

Production turkey meat and offal in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of turkey meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

Turkey meat and offal production in SADC has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 15 826 tonnes, marking a slight increase of 0.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 2.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%.

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

Exports turkey meat and offal from SADC

Exports in kind, t

SADC exported 578 tonnes of turkey meat and offal in 2020, which was 11.0% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 521 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 684 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 23.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 21.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the leading destination for SADC's turkey meat and offal exports in volume terms, accounting for 0.6% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, SADC's turkey meat and offal export value stood at 3 423 thousand US dollars, representing a significant decline of 15.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 6.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 648 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 4 035 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 17.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 52.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil remained the primary buyer of turkey meat and offal from SADC in value terms, taking 0.5% of total exports.

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

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

Imports turkey meat and offal to SADC

Imports in kind, t

Turkey meat and offal imports into SADC have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 52 346 tonnes, showing a reduction of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 14.3%, with an average annual decline rate of 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, the United States, and Canada were the main sources of turkey meat and offal imports into SADC in volume terms. Brazil accounted for 33.1% of imports, the United States for 13.2%, and Canada for 12.1%, together making up 58.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Turkey meat and offal imports into SADC have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, SADC imported turkey meat and offal valued at 3 423 thousand US dollars, indicating a strong decline of 14.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 24.8%, with an average annual decline rate of 9.1%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 73 807 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 16.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 4.8%.

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

In 2017-2020, Brazil, the United States, and Canada were the principal sources of turkey meat and offal imports into SADC in value terms. Brazil accounted for 38.7% of imports, the United States for 16.5%, and Canada for 11.9%, together representing 67.1% of total import flows.

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

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