Pork (pig meat) production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 365,630 t of pork (pig meat), the 34th largest in the world (0.29% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 56%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Production, 2024
- 365,630 t
- World rank
- 34 of 171
- 10-year change
- +56%
- Record
- 365,630 t
- 2024
Pork (pig meat) in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.29%
- 0.20% in 2014
- kg per person
- 5.71
- world 15.4
- 10-year change
- +56%
- world +7.9%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Belarus | 373,300 | 0.30% |
| 33 | India | 371,572 | 0.30% |
| 34 | South Africa | 365,630 | 0.29% |
| 35 | Myanmar | 330,000 | 0.26% |
| 36 | Romania | 328,260 | 0.26% |
Map of world production of pork (pig meat)
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 365,630 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | 353,280 | −0.0% |
| 2022 | 353,360 | +9.7% |
| 2021 | 322,210 | +9.8% |
| 2020 | 293,430 | +5.0% |
| 2019 | 279,470 | +5.3% |
| 2018 | 265,511 | +13% |
| 2017 | 235,300 | −2.0% |
| 2016 | 240,212 | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 237,387 | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 234,463 | +8.4% |
| 2013 | 216,215 | +3.6% |
| 2012 | 208,700 | +3.8% |
| 2011 | 201,100 | −0.5% |
| 2010 | 202,200 | +9.5% |
| 2009 | 184,700 | +3.8% |
| 2008 | 178,000 | −3.9% |
| 2007 | 185,200 | +2.5% |
| 2006 | 180,600 | +12% |
| 2005 | 160,700 | +2.0% |
| 2004 | 157,500 | +6.0% |
| 2003 | 148,600 | +27% |
| 2002 | 117,100 | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 116,500 | +3.6% |
| 2000 | 112,400 | −3.8% |
| 1999 | 116,800 | −7.1% |
| 1998 | 125,700 | +3.4% |
| 1997 | 121,600 | −6.7% |
| 1996 | 130,400 | +7.7% |
| 1995 | 121,100 | +5.1% |
| 1994 | 115,200 | −8.1% |
| 1993 | 125,300 | −2.6% |
| 1992 | 128,700 | +4.1% |
| 1991 | 123,600 | −5.5% |
| 1990 | 130,800 | +3.6% |
| 1989 | 126,200 | +9.8% |
| 1988 | 114,900 | +6.9% |
| 1987 | 107,500 | +3.1% |
| 1986 | 104,300 | −2.9% |
| 1985 | 107,400 | −2.7% |
| 1984 | 110,400 | −2.8% |
| 1983 | 113,600 | +1.4% |
| 1982 | 112,000 | +17% |
| 1981 | 95,700 | +7.8% |
| 1980 | 88,800 | +1.3% |
| 1979 | 87,700 | −0.3% |
| 1978 | 88,000 | −5.9% |
| 1977 | 93,500 | +1.1% |
| 1976 | 92,500 | +6.2% |
| 1975 | 87,100 | −4.1% |
| 1974 | 90,800 | −9.1% |
| 1973 | 99,900 | +11% |
| 1972 | 89,700 | +14% |
| 1971 | 78,900 | −2.5% |
| 1970 | 80,924 | −2.1% |
| 1969 | 82,688 | +15% |
| 1968 | 72,000 | −4.0% |
| 1967 | 75,000 | +12% |
| 1966 | 67,000 | +3.1% |
| 1965 | 65,000 | +3.2% |
| 1964 | 63,000 | +8.6% |
| 1963 | 58,000 | −1.3% |
| 1962 | 58,743 | +2.9% |
| 1961 | 57,110 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 11,404 t USD 26.2 m
- Exporter rank
- 24 of 81
- Imports
- 20,433 t USD 47.3 m
- Importer rank
- 33 of 168
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 pork (pig meat) in South Africa?
South Africa produced 365,630 t in 2024, 0.29% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of pork (pig meat)?
South Africa ranked 34th of 171 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 45.5% of the world total.
How has the production of pork (pig meat) in South Africa changed?
It rose by 56% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +7.9% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
Does South Africa export or import meat of pig with the bone, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 11,404 t (USD 26.2 m) and imports of 20,433 t (USD 47.3 m), 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. 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.