SADC: Rabbit Meat Market 2025

Rabbit Meat Market Size in SADC

For the fourth year in a row, the SADC rabbit meat market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -1.2% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 9.7%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Rabbit Meat Production in SADC

In value terms, rabbit meat production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 14%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Botswana (X tons), Madagascar (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons), with a combined 96% share of total production. South Africa lagged somewhat behind, accounting for a further 3.4%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for South Africa (with a CAGR of +1.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average rabbit meat yield fell modestly to X kg per head in 2022, approximately mirroring 2021 figures. Overall, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 2% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X kg per head in 2013; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In 2022, number of animals slaughtered for rabbit meat production in SADC stood at X heads, approximately mirroring 2021 figures. Overall, the number of producing animals continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 5%. As a result, the number of animals produced attained the peak level of X heads; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Rabbit Meat Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of rabbit or hare meat, when their volume decreased by -10.5% to X tons. In general, exports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 8,570% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, rabbit meat exports dropped markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 13,105%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) was the major exporter of rabbit or hare meat in SADC, comprising 100% of total export.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the rabbit or hare meat exports, with a CAGR of +75.3% from 2012 to 2022. While the share of South Africa (+22 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) also remains the largest rabbit meat supplier in SADC.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa stood at +38.5%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -52.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for South Africa.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for South Africa amounted to -21.0% per year.

Rabbit Meat Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, approx. X tons of rabbit or hare meat were imported in SADC; dropping by -31.6% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, imports continue to indicate a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 172%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, rabbit meat imports fell sharply to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 147%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons) and Angola (X tons) dominates imports structure, together achieving 79% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Mozambique (X tons), mixing up a 6.8% share of total imports. The following importers - Botswana (X kg), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X kg), Lesotho (X kg) and Seychelles (X kg) - together made up 11% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Zimbabwe (with a CAGR of +62.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Angola ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported rabbit or hare meat in SADC, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zimbabwe ($X), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by Mozambique, with an 11% share.

In Angola, rabbit meat imports decreased by an average annual rate of -16.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Zimbabwe (+43.0% per year) and Mozambique (-7.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 6.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the import price increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform