Horse meat, fresh or chilled production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 1,236 t of horse meat, fresh or chilled, the 28th largest in the world (0.17% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 7.8%. The record was 2,100 t in 2011.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 1,236 t
- World rank
- 28 of 56
- 10-year change
- −7.8%
- Record
- 2,100 t
- 2011
Horse meat, fresh or chilled in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.17%
- 0.19% in 2014
- kg per person
- 0.02
- world 0.09
- 10-year change
- −7.8%
- world +8.0%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Indonesia | 1,329 | 0.18% |
| 27 | Vietnam | 1,252 | 0.17% |
| 28 | South Africa | 1,236 | 0.17% |
| 29 | Chad | 1,199 | 0.16% |
| 30 | Iceland | 982 | 0.13% |
Map of world production of horse meat, fresh or chilled
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,236 | −0.2% |
| 2023 | 1,238 | −0.6% |
| 2022 | 1,246 | −1.7% |
| 2021 | 1,267 | +2.4% |
| 2020 | 1,237 | +3.2% |
| 2019 | 1,199 | +3.7% |
| 2018 | 1,156 | −15% |
| 2017 | 1,366 | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 1,354 | 0.0% |
| 2015 | 1,354 | +1.0% |
| 2014 | 1,340 | −10% |
| 2013 | 1,497 | −17% |
| 2012 | 1,797 | −14% |
| 2011 | 2,100 | +6.1% |
| 2010 | 1,980 | +5.3% |
| 2009 | 1,880 | +24% |
| 2008 | 1,520 | 0.0% |
| 2007 | 1,520 | +1.3% |
| 2006 | 1,500 | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 1,479 | −1.4% |
| 2004 | 1,500 | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 1,500 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 1,500 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 1,500 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 1,500 | +7.1% |
| 1999 | 1,400 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 1,400 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 1,400 | −18% |
| 1996 | 1,700 | +6.3% |
| 1995 | 1,600 | +14% |
| 1994 | 1,400 | +17% |
| 1993 | 1,200 | +20% |
| 1992 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1991 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1989 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1987 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1986 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1985 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1983 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1982 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1981 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1979 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1978 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1977 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1976 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1975 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1974 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1973 | 1,000 | 0.0% |
| 1972 | 1,000 | −17% |
| 1971 | 1,200 | 0.0% |
| 1970 | 1,200 | 0.0% |
| 1969 | 1,200 | −25% |
| 1968 | 1,600 | 0.0% |
| 1967 | 1,600 | 0.0% |
| 1966 | 1,600 | −11% |
| 1965 | 1,800 | 0.0% |
| 1964 | 1,800 | −10.0% |
| 1963 | 2,000 | 0.0% |
| 1962 | 2,000 | 0.0% |
| 1961 | 2,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 7 t USD 24,000
- Exporter rank
- 33 of 39
- Imports
- 14 t USD 25,000
- Importer rank
- 31 of 36
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 horse meat, fresh or chilled in South Africa?
South Africa produced 1,236 t in 2024, 0.17% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of horse meat, fresh or chilled?
South Africa ranked 28th of 56 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 24.2% of the world total.
How has the production of horse meat, fresh or chilled in South Africa changed?
It fell by 7.8% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +8.0% for the world. The record was 2,100 t in 2011.
Does South Africa export or import horse meat, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 7 t (USD 24,000) and imports of 14 t (USD 25,000), 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 imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
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.