Beef and buffalo meat market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Belarus saw its volume grow from 194.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 243.1 thousand tons in 2023, supported by sustained state policy focused on developing cattle breeding for beef and milk. This framework encouraged deeper specialization among agricultural organizations and helped expand production capacity. The period also saw the active development of marbled beef as a new premium segment domestically, which contributed to diversifying the product range available to consumers.

Market dynamics were influenced by shifting export flows and regulatory changes. Increased export volumes in 2020, facilitated by a production surplus and work on new cutting and packaging methods, slightly reduced domestic availability. A significant regulatory shift occurred from the start of 2022, when a ban on imports of frozen beef was introduced, altering the supply structure. Concurrently, the accreditation of Belarusian producers for the Chinese market secured key export channels. The notable market expansion in 2023 was driven by a substantial rise in domestic production, coupled with a decline in export volumes, which directed more meat to the local market.

Throughout these years, the industry landscape evolved with the growth of large meat processing enterprises and ongoing updates to veterinary-sanitary rules and market regulations, including several governmental decrees in 2022 that further structured the meat sector.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Beef and buffalo meat production in Belarus has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 340.2 thousand tons, marking a 3.7% rise from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belarus's beef and buffalo meat production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 165 million US dollars, showing a slight drop of 0.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 3.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 176 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Belarus

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belarus's beef and buffalo meat exports stood at 148.8 thousand tons, reflecting a moderate rise of 6.1% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 140.2 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year of 7.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 150.7 thousand tons, with the largest increase that year of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the leading buyer of beef and buffalo meat from Belarus, accounting for 81.1% of total exports in kind, while the rest was distributed across many other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belarus in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Belarus exported 509.4 million US dollars worth of beef and buffalo meat in 2020, representing a slight rise of 1.5% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 502.0 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 7.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 543.7 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 8.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belarus in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia concentrated most of the exports in value terms, taking 83.1% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belarus in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Belarus

Imports in kind, K t

Belarus's beef and buffalo meat import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 6.1 thousand tons, falling by 67.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 65.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 30.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 19.5 thousand tons, with the largest increase that year of 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine was by far the main source for imports in kind of beef and buffalo meat to Belarus, accounting for 92.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belarus in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Belarus's beef and buffalo meat imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 22.1 million US dollars, equivalent to a fall of 62.1% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 57.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 24.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 59.7 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 14.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belarus in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Ukraine dominated the partner structure for imports in value terms, with a share of 86.9% of total flows; other markets had comparatively modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belarus in value, 2017-2020