Africa: Pork Market 2025

Pork Market Size in Africa

After two years of growth, the African pork market decreased by -2.1% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Pork Production in Africa

In value terms, pork production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Burkina Faso (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons), with a combined 48% share of total production. Malawi, Angola, Uganda and Mozambique lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Malawi (with a CAGR of +14.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average pork yield fell to X kg per head in 2022, with a decrease of -4.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 9.1% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X kg per head in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global number of animals slaughtered for pork production was estimated at X heads in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year's figure. This number increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the number of producing animals increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at X heads in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Pork Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of pork, when their volume decreased by -12.8% to X tons. Total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 36%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, pork exports reduced notably to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 81% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Namibia (X tons), generating an 8.1% share of total exports. Mauritania (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to pork exports from South Africa stood at +5.3%. At the same time, Namibia (+28.9%) and Mauritania (+18.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Namibia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +28.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Kenya (-8.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Namibia and Mauritania increased by +7 and +3 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest pork supplier in Africa, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Namibia ($X), with a 6.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Kenya, with a 4.4% share.

In South Africa, pork exports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Namibia (+23.0% per year) and Kenya (-9.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, waning by -4.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 15% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per ton), while Mauritania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya (-1.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Pork Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of pork, when their volume decreased by -12.2% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 33%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, pork imports contracted rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports showed a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 41%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Angola (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Congo (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Gabon (X tons) and Liberia (X tons) represented the largest importer of pork in Africa, achieving 87% of total import.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Congo (with a CAGR of +18.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Angola ($X) and Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 48% of total imports. Congo, Gabon, Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

Congo, with a CAGR of +16.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 10%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Liberia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (-0.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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