SADC: Fresh Chicken Cut Market 2025

Fresh Chicken Cut Market Size in SADC

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was growth in the SADC fresh chicken cut market, when its value increased by 0.5% to $X. Overall, consumption enjoyed a resilient increase. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Fresh Chicken Cut Production in SADC

In value terms, fresh chicken cut production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production enjoyed a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and South Africa (X tons), with a combined 53% share of total production. Mozambique, Madagascar, Angola, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Angola (with a CAGR of +11.8%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fresh Chicken Cut Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, exports of fresh or chilled cuts of chicken in SADC reduced slightly to X tons, which is down by -2.9% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 228% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fresh chicken cut exports expanded notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 188% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa prevails in exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 92% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Namibia (X tons), generating a 6.7% share of total exports.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +14.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Namibia (+45.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Namibia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +45.8% from 2012-2021. While the share of Namibia (+5.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of South Africa (-6.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest fresh chicken cut supplier in SADC, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Namibia ($X), with a 3.9% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa stood at +11.9%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 18% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 29%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Namibia totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (-2.1%).

Fresh Chicken Cut Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of fresh or chilled cuts of chicken, when their volume increased by 53% to X tons. In general, imports, however, showed a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 97% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fresh chicken cut imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 63% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Lesotho (X tons) was the main importer of fresh or chilled cuts of chicken, creating 70% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), comprising a 17% share of total imports. South Africa (X tons), Angola (X tons) and Comoros (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to fresh chicken cut imports into Lesotho stood at +34.1%. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+34.2%) and Angola (+15.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +34.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Comoros (-11.5%) and South Africa (-30.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Lesotho (+66 p.p.), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+16 p.p.) and Angola (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Comoros and South Africa saw its share reduced by -3.4% and -79.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Lesotho ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported fresh or chilled cuts of chicken in SADC, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 3% share.

In Lesotho, fresh chicken cut imports increased at an average annual rate of +24.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Democratic Republic of the Congo (+34.9% per year) and South Africa (-30.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, waning by -8% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 41% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while Angola ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform