Africa meat market to grow towards US$108.2 billion by 2033

AFRICA – The value of Africa’s meat industry is climbing from US$63.03 billion in 2024 to US$66.38 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach US$108.23 billion by 2033, with an annual growth rate of 5.43 percent during the period.

The sector spans beef, goat, mutton, pork, and poultry, combining both small-scale farming and formal commercial enterprises that support livelihoods and food supply systems.

Per capita meat consumption in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated between 15 and 20 kilograms a year, which remains below the global average, reflecting limits in supply and access according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Livestock contributes about 30 percent to agricultural GDP in many African economies, with Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sudan holding some of the largest cattle herds.

Shifting demand in cities and among youth

Urban growth is reshaping consumption, as the continent’s city populations are expected to double from 567 million in 2021 to more than 1.2 billion by 2050, according to United Nations figures.

This expansion is driving demand for packaged and processed meat in cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg, where supermarkets and cold chain facilities are expanding.

Nigeria’s cities have become the primary centers for poultry consumption, a trend reflected in other major metropolitan areas.

With 60 percent of Africans under the age of 25, demand for protein-rich foods is also rising, particularly among younger consumers in Kenya, Ghana, and Ethiopia.

Government school feeding initiatives in Rwanda and Ethiopia that incorporate meat in daily meals are further shaping long-term consumption trends.

Constraints and new opportunities

Cold storage and logistics remain a weak link across many countries, with Tanzania and Malawi relying on informal supply chains that face high rates of spoilage and food safety concerns.

At the same time, poultry farming is expanding rapidly, with governments in Uganda and Rwanda introducing feed subsidies and tax incentives to strengthen local production.

The African Continental Free Trade Area is expected to create new cross-border opportunities, with surplus beef from Namibia and Botswana finding markets in countries such as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Chicken accounted for nearly half of consumption in 2024 at 47.3 percent, while pork is emerging as the fastest-growing meat category, especially in Southern and Central Africa.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets held 43.6 percent of formal sales in 2024, but online platforms such as Checkers Sixty60 are expanding at a faster pace through mobile payment and last-mile cold delivery.

Nigeria currently holds 22.4 percent of the regional market, while South Africa remains a leading agro-processing hub despite high costs linked to power and water shortages.

Kenya is building its export potential through veterinary systems and certified slaughterhouses, while Morocco and Tunisia are modernizing their meat supply chains through government-backed programs.

Global companies such as Tyson Foods, JBS, WH Group, Cargill, Hormel, and BRF S.A. are competing with regional players including Tiger Brands, Bidco Africa, and AVI Limited.

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