Game meat, fresh, chilled or frozen production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 53,993 t of game meat, fresh, chilled or frozen, the 10th largest in the world (2.63% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 21%. This is the highest figure on record.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 53,993 t
- World rank
- 10 of 47
- 10-year change
- +21%
- Record
- 53,993 t
- 2024
Game meat, fresh, chilled or frozen in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 2.6%
- 2.2% in 2014
- kg per person
- 0.84
- world 0.25
- 10-year change
- +21%
- world +2.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Ghana | 76,249 | 3.7% |
| 9 | Morocco | 56,655 | 2.8% |
| 10 | South Africa | 53,993 | 2.6% |
| 11 | Argentina | 51,419 | 2.5% |
| 12 | Congo | 47,121 | 2.3% |
Map of world production of game meat, fresh, chilled or frozen
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 53,993 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | 52,829 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 52,015 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | 51,071 | −0.7% |
| 2020 | 51,408 | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 50,180 | −1.5% |
| 2018 | 50,952 | +3.3% |
| 2017 | 49,334 | +6.5% |
| 2016 | 46,319 | −10% |
| 2015 | 51,616 | +15% |
| 2014 | 44,791 | +5.3% |
| 2013 | 42,552 | −3.1% |
| 2012 | 43,893 | −4.6% |
| 2011 | 46,000 | +24% |
| 2010 | 37,076 | +9.6% |
| 2009 | 33,843 | +10% |
| 2008 | 30,764 | +10% |
| 2007 | 27,858 | +12% |
| 2006 | 24,928 | +28% |
| 2005 | 19,500 | −6.4% |
| 2004 | 20,830 | +6.5% |
| 2003 | 19,551 | +15% |
| 2002 | 17,000 | −1.5% |
| 2001 | 17,252 | +7.8% |
| 2000 | 16,000 | +6.7% |
| 1999 | 15,000 | +7.1% |
| 1998 | 14,000 | +7.7% |
| 1997 | 13,000 | +18% |
| 1996 | 11,000 | +11% |
| 1995 | 9,911 | +3.4% |
| 1994 | 9,582 | +13% |
| 1993 | 8,458 | +19% |
| 1992 | 7,137 | +7.2% |
| 1991 | 6,658 | −40% |
| 1990 | 11,072 | +11% |
| 1989 | 10,000 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | 10,000 | 0.0% |
| 1987 | 10,000 | 0.0% |
| 1986 | 10,000 | 0.0% |
| 1985 | 10,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 10,000 | 0.0% |
| 1983 | 10,000 | 0.0% |
| 1982 | 10,000 | 0.0% |
| 1981 | 10,000 | +11% |
| 1980 | 9,000 | +29% |
| 1979 | 7,000 | +17% |
| 1978 | 6,000 | +20% |
| 1977 | 5,000 | +25% |
| 1976 | 4,000 | +33% |
| 1975 | 3,000 | +50% |
| 1974 | 2,000 | 0.0% |
| 1973 | 2,000 | +100% |
| 1972 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1971 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1970 | 1,000 | +100% |
| 1969 | 500 | — |
| 1968 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 0 | — |
| 1966 | 0 | — |
| 1965 | 0 | — |
| 1964 | 0 | — |
| 1963 | 0 | — |
| 1962 | 0 | — |
| 1961 | 0 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 115 t USD 481,000
- Exporter rank
- 23 of 32
- Imports
- 6 t USD 9,000
- Importer rank
- 43 of 55
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of game meat, fresh, chilled or frozen in South Africa?
South Africa produced 53,993 t in 2024, 2.6% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of game meat, fresh, chilled or frozen?
South Africa ranked 10th of 47 countries in 2024. The largest producer was Papua New Guinea with 21.6% of the world total.
How has the production of game meat, fresh, chilled or frozen in South Africa changed?
It rose by 21% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +2.7% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
Does South Africa export or import game meat, fresh, chilled or frozen?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 115 t (USD 481,000) and imports of 6 t (USD 9,000), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for South Africa is estimated by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.