Prepared chicken meat exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported prepared chicken meat worth $7.3 million (2.4 thousand tonnes). That is 25% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7.3M | 2.4K t |
| 2023 | $5.9M | 1.9K t |
| 2022 | $5.9M | 2.0K t |
| 2021 | $5.3M | 1.9K t |
| 2020 | $3.1M | 1.1K t |
| 2019 | $5.6M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $4.1M | 1.1K t |
| 2017 | $5.2M | 1.5K t |
Where South Africa exports prepared chicken meat to
One buyer market dominates: Namibia accounted for 51% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Mauritius grew fastest (+347% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $3.7M | 51% |
| Botswana | $1.1M | 15% |
| United Arab Emirates | $1.1M | 15% |
| Mauritius | $539K | 7.4% |
| Mozambique | $483K | 6.6% |
| Eswatini | $136K | 1.9% |
| Lesotho | $71K | 1% |
| Qatar | $50K | 0.7% |
| Angola | $49K | 0.7% |
| Seychelles | $25K | 0.3% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.08 per kg, 30% below the world average of $4.37, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Prepared chicken meat imports to South Africa
Imports of prepared chicken meat by South Africa reached $1.6 million in 2024 (702 tonnes). One supplier dominates: Namibia accounted for 67% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $1.1M | 68% |
| Brazil | $191K | 12% |
| Thailand | $182K | 11% |
| Denmark | $47K | 2.9% |
| United Kingdom | $33K | 2% |
| United States | $24K | 1.5% |
| Poland | $22K | 1.3% |
| South Korea | $16K | 1% |
| New Zealand | $8K | 0.5% |
| Netherlands | $5K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa prepared chicken meat exports (HS 1602.32): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 1602.32: Meat preparations: of the poultry of heading no. 0105, (i.e. of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus).
Common questions
What is the value of prepared chicken meat exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported prepared chicken meat worth $7.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 50th of 128 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 25% on 2023.
Which countries buy prepared chicken meat from South Africa?
Namibia was the largest buyer with 51% of the value ($3.7 million), followed by Botswana (15%) and the United Arab Emirates (15%). The top three together account for 81%, out of 21 buyer countries in total. The Seychelles grew fastest among the top ten, up 575% on the year.
What is the average export price of prepared chicken meat per kg?
The average declared export value was about $3.08 per kg in 2024, 30% below the world average of $4.37 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of prepared chicken meat from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $5.2 million in 2017 to $7.3 million in 2024, an increase of 40%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $5.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also import prepared chicken meat?
Yes. South Africa imported $1.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Namibia, Brazil and Thailand. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $5.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for prepared chicken meat?
The HS code for prepared chicken meat is subheading 1602.32. It sits in HS chapter 16 (meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or insects; preparations thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1602 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World prepared chicken meat trade: top importers and exporters
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