Market Overview

The South Africa meat market reached a size of USD 6.41 Billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 7.64 Billion by 2033. The market expansion during the forecast period of 2025-2033 is supported bAy a 1.96% growth rate, driven primarily by increasing urbanization and a rising middle class demanding convenient, protein-rich foods. Poultry leads the consumption share due to affordability compared to red meat, supported by government policies and its strong presence in fast-food and informal markets. Health consciousness is also propelling demand for leaner, high-protein options, which is enhancing the market stance for chicken, premium beef, and free-range products. Explore more insights on the South Africa Meat Market. 

How AI is Reshaping the Future of South Africa Meat Market:

• AI-driven supply chain optimization enhances efficiency, reducing waste and cost, thereby supporting the price competitiveness of poultry, the largest segment with about 60% consumption.

• Automation in livestock health monitoring, such as AI-powered disease detection systems, can support national efforts like the livestock vaccination drive launched to control foot-and-mouth disease, ensuring stable production and trade.

• AI-based consumer analytics enable producers to respond swiftly to rising health trends by developing and marketing leaner, high-protein meat products tailored to South Africa’s growing health-conscious middle class.

• Smart retail technologies powered by AI improve distribution through supermarkets, online stores, and specialty outlets, optimizing inventory and boosting accessibility of both raw and processed meats.

• AI-assisted product innovation accelerates development of value-added products such as marinated, deli, and ready-to-cook meats, meeting the urban consumers’ demand for convenient meals.

• Integration of AI in market surveillance helps track price fluctuations and competitive dynamics, aiding companies to maintain competitive pricing aligned with government-supported poultry sector growth.

Grab a sample PDF of this report: https://www.imarcgroup.com/south-africa-meat-market/requestsample

Market Growth Factors

Urbanization and the rising middle class in South Africa are pivotal in reshaping dietary habits, driving the meat market's growth. With more urban dwellers, demand for processed and ready-to-eat meat products has surged. Increased disposable incomes among the middle class are prompting a preference for varied, superior-quality meats such as chicken, beef, and pork. Urban populations also have improved access to supermarkets and fast-food restaurants, encouraging higher meat consumption. This shift includes an increased demand for value-added meat products like marinated cuts, deli items, and ready-to-cook meats, supported by the growing popularity of Western food culture and quick-service restaurants fostering competitive innovation among producers.

Consumer health and protein trends provide significant momentum to the South Africa meat market. Poultry constitutes approximately 60% of total meat consumption due to its affordability and lean profile aligning with evolving health consciousness. Global health campaigns and the fitness culture have heightened awareness of protein-rich diets, motivating consumers to opt for lean options like chicken and select beef cuts. In response, producers are introducing low-fat, high-protein, and nutritionally fortified processed meats. The popularity of high-protein diet regimens has spurred demand for premium, organic, and free-range meat products, with retailers expanding their offerings to include hormone-free and grass-fed variants, catering to health-conscious consumers.

Poultry dominance and price competitiveness remain critical drivers in the market. Poultry's affordability compared to red meat, which faces high prices due to feed costs and production constraints, leads consumers to favor chicken as a cost-effective protein. Government support for domestic poultry producers and import controls strengthen local production. Furthermore, poultry meets the needs of health-conscious consumers seeking lean meat options, aiding its market appeal across income levels. The fast-food industry and informal vendors heavily depend on chicken, which sustains demand even amid economic challenges and inflation. From frozen cuts to ready-to-cook and spiced varieties, poultry’s leadership in home consumption also stimulates product innovation.

Market Segmentation

Type Insights:

• Raw
• Processed

Product Insights:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Pork
• Mutton
• Others

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Departmental Stores
• Specialty Stores
• Online Stores
• Others

Regional Insights:

• Gauteng
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Western Cape
• Mpumalanga
• Eastern Cape
• Others

Recent Development & News

• November 2025: Regenerative grazing innovations in red meat production restore soil health and reduce carbon footprints by up to 30% through optimized rotational practices, as demonstrated by leading South African farmers.

• August 2025: New government-backed trade resilience plan emphasizes market diversification for meat exports, targeting a 15% increase in non-EU destinations to counter disease-related restrictions like Foot and Mouth Disease.

• July 2025: Published meat-analogue regulations mandate clear labeling for plant-based alternatives, requiring protein content disclosures over 5g per 100g to enhance transparency and support a 20% rise in compliant product launches.

Customization Note:

If you require any specific information that is not covered currently within the scope of the report, we will provide the same as a part of the customization.

About Us

IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that helps the world’s most ambitious changemakers to create a lasting impact. The company provide a comprehensive suite of market entry and expansion services. IMARC offerings include thorough market assessment, feasibility studies, company incorporation assistance, factory setup support, regulatory approvals and licensing navigation, branding, marketing and sales strategies, competitive landscape and benchmarking analyses, pricing and cost research, and procurement research.

Contact Us

IMARC Group,

134 N 4th St. Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA,

Email: sales@imarcgroup.com,

Tel No: (D) +91 120 433 0800,

United States: +1-201971-6302