Turkey meat and offal market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The South African turkey meat and offal market grew from 30 641 t in 2018 to 31 681 t in 2019, then contracted to 28 822 t in 2020. The market recovered to 30 332 t in 2021, supported by a renewal of import duties on poultry parts which protected local production, and the resolution of earlier avian influenza outbreaks that stabilized the domestic supply chain.

Market volume fell sharply to 17 499 t in 2022, largely due to a significant decline in imports. That year, Brazil accounted for 72.8% of South Africa's poultry meat imports, indicating a concentrated import structure. A partial recovery to 19 718 t occurred in 2023.

From 2024, market dynamics were influenced by production-side challenges. High feed costs and poor rainfall constrained supply, while avian influenza outbreaks in the USA curtailed potential export opportunities for products like offal. Consumer preferences continued shifting toward fresh meat over frozen. By 2025, the impending lapse of the AGOA trade agreement created uncertainty for future export tariffs, and a 9% increase in imports of chicken offal put additional pressure on local producer margins.

Production turkey meat and offal in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of turkey meat and offal, 2018-2021

World map of production of turkey meat and offal, 2018-2021

South Africa's turkey meat and offal production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 5 622 tonnes, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 2.2%. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 2.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the value of turkey meat and offal production in South Africa reached 10 296 thousand US dollars, up 9.5% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value increased by 10.1%, averaging 3.3% per year. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, with a decline of 7.4%.

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

Exports turkey meat and offal from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

South Africa's exports of turkey meat and offal have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 618 tonnes, down 53.1% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 45.3%, with an annualized decline of 18.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 575 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 39.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Botswana were the main buyers of South African turkey meat and offal by volume. Eswatini accounted for 45.6% of exports, Mozambique for 28.3%, and Botswana for 9.9%, together making up 83.8% of total export volumes.

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 export value of turkey meat and offal has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 1 132 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 49.7% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value fell by 41.4%, averaging a 16.3% annual decline. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 917 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 51.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Botswana remained the top markets for South Africa's turkey meat and offal exports by value, collectively accounting for 83.2% of total export flows.

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 turkey meat and offal to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa imported 25 328 tonnes of turkey meat and offal in 2021, a slight increase of 2.8% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 3.7%, with an annualized decline of 1.2%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 24 639 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 27 772 tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2020 with an 11.3% decrease, and the biggest rise was in 2019 with a 5.6% increase.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Brazil, the United States, and Canada were the primary sources of turkey meat and offal imports to South Africa by volume. Brazil contributed 29.3% of imports, the United States 24.8%, and Canada 20.8%, together representing 74.9% of total import volumes.

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, South Africa's import value of turkey meat and offal surged to 42 935 thousand US dollars, a sharp increase of 41.0% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, import value grew by 23.2%, averaging 7.2% per year. The lowest value was in 2020 at 30 451 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.4%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Brazil, the United States, and Canada formed the core group of markets for South Africa's turkey meat and offal imports by value. Brazil accounted for 31.7% of imports, the United States for 25.3%, and Canada for 18.9%, together making up 75.9% of total import flows.

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

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