MENA: Fresh Pork Cut Market 2025

Fresh Pork Cut Market Size in MENA

The MENA's fresh pork cut market expanded to $X in 2022, with an increase of 4.3% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, enjoyed a prominent expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Fresh Pork Cut Production in MENA

In value terms, fresh pork cut production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Iran (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons), together accounting for 99% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Lebanon (with a CAGR of +3.3%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fresh Pork Cut Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, shipments abroad of fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts of pig meat decreased by -26.8% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a pronounced decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 646% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, fresh pork cut exports rose slightly to $X in 2022. In general, exports faced a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 186% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the largest exporter of fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts of pig meat, mixing up 77% of total exports. Turkey (X kg) took a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Lebanon (9.4%).

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts of pig meat exports, with a CAGR of -3.3% from 2012 to 2022. Lebanon (-10.6%) and Turkey (-29.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+13 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (+11 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Lebanon saw its share reduced by -8.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Turkey ($X) and Lebanon ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Turkey, with a CAGR of -13.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 43% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the export price increased by 71%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+23.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Fresh Pork Cut Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, imports of fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts of pig meat in MENA declined to X tons, dropping by -7.5% against the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 667%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fresh pork cut imports expanded notably to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, posted a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 1,135%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Qatar (X tons) was the key importer of fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts of pig meat, creating 58% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Lebanon (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons), together creating a 38% share of total imports. Djibouti (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to fresh pork cut imports into Qatar stood at -4.8%. At the same time, Lebanon (+58.7%), Djibouti (+51.9%) and the United Arab Emirates (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Lebanon emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +58.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Bahrain (-6.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Qatar (+58 p.p.), Lebanon (+9.6 p.p.) and Djibouti (+2.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates (-21.5 p.p.) and Bahrain (-36.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Qatar ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts of pig meat in MENA, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 7.7% share of total imports. It was followed by Bahrain, with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Qatar stood at -1.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+1.8% per year) and Bahrain (-4.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 18% against the previous year. Import price indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, fresh pork cut import price decreased by -12.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the import price increased by 63%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 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 Qatar ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+3.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform