Beef and buffalo meat market in Benin

Earlier Report Observations

Beef and buffalo meat production in Benin rose from 41 854 tonnes in 2018 to 42 942 tonnes in 2019, aided by the rehabilitation of border livestock markets at Iwoyé and Matéri from March 2018, which streamlined cross-border cattle trade with Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria. Output then fell sharply to 32 939 tonnes in 2020, a year in which the livestock subsector accounted for 13% of agricultural GDP.

Production recovered to 34 872 tonnes in 2021 and climbed to 38 106 tonnes in 2022, spurred by the National Programme for the Development of Meat, Milk and Egg Sectors that boosted cattle supply amid rising demand. Growth continued in 2023, reaching 42 980 tonnes, as the Compact Benin for Food and Agriculture strategy targeted an extra 150 000 tonnes of meat output by 2026, and the Ouèssè livestock market recorded a 92% sales rate.

The sector operated alongside a highly import-dependent poultry industry, where frozen chicken imports pressured local meat production, but government subsidies for day-old chicks and a planned ban on frozen chicken imports by end-2024 aimed to strengthen domestic meat supply chains.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Benin

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

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

Benin's beef and buffalo meat production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, production reached 32 939 tonnes, marking a 23.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 42 942 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Benin in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Benin

Exports in kind, kg

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Export volumes fluctuated dramatically, with a 99-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Benin exported 40 kg of beef and buffalo meat, showing minimal change from 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 929 kg, while both the largest decline and increase in 2018 were negligible at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Benin's beef and buffalo meat exports were almost entirely directed to Congo, which accounted for 99.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Benin exported $0.7 thousand US worth of beef and buffalo meat, representing a 4.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 33.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Benin's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms were primarily directed to Congo and France, which together accounted for 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Benin

Imports in kind, kg

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes varied significantly, with a 12.4-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Benin imported 11 713 kg of beef and buffalo meat, representing a steep 86.6% decrease from 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 070 kg, while the maximum was in 2019 at 87 690 kg. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 1,140.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, France (47.7% of imports in kind), India (18.8%), and Algeria (16.6%) were the leading suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Benin, collectively accounting for 83.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values peaked in 2019 and bottomed in 2018, with a 9.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Benin imported $60.8 thousand US worth of beef and buffalo meat, showing a sharp 71.5% decrease from the previous year. The minimum import value was recorded in 2018 at $21.9 thousand US, while the maximum was in 2019 at $213.1 thousand US. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 871.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France (43.7% of imports in value terms), South Africa (29.6%), and India (20.6%) played the leading roles in Benin's beef and buffalo meat imports, jointly accounting for 93.9% of total import flows.

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

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