Beef and buffalo meat market in Bhutan

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Bhutan saw significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After reaching 4,514 t in 2019, the market volume dropped sharply to 2,616 t in 2020. This decline coincided with the implementation of the Bhutan Trade Classification & Tariff Schedule, which introduced new regulatory frameworks for meat trade. Recovery began in 2021, supported by data from the Livestock Census that informed production planning, and accelerated in 2022 when imports of live animals and animal products increased substantially, contributing to a market size of 4,110 t.

Domestic production played a growing role, rising from 833 t in 2018 to over 2,100 t in 2022 before moderating to 1,749 t in 2023. The introduction of the Bhutan Standard for Animal Meat and Co-products in 2022 set labeling and quality requirements, shaping market access. Stricter import safety standards under the Livestock Act and subsequent rules, along with consumer preferences for meat during festivals, influenced demand patterns. By 2023, the market stabilized at 3,710 t, with ongoing regulatory compliance governing trade.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Bhutan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

Bhutan's beef and buffalo meat production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 1 339 tonnes, marking a significant 47.0% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 60.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 17.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 725 tonnes, and that year also saw the largest decline of 12.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bhutan in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Bhutan

Industry reports indicate that Bhutan did not export any beef or buffalo meat between 2018 and 2021.

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Bhutan

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Bhutan imported 1 719 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, showing a slight increase of 0.9% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 46.2%, with an average annual decline of 18.7%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 1 705 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 3 788 tonnes. The sharpest drop was in 2020, down 55.0%, whereas the largest gain was in 2019, up 18.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bhutan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, India was the nearly exclusive supplier of beef and buffalo meat to Bhutan, making up 99.9% of all imports by volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Bhutan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the value of beef and buffalo meat imports into Bhutan reached 4 953 thousand US dollars, a robust increase of 16.9% over the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, import values decreased by 30.7%, averaging an 11.5% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 4 238 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 8 915 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, falling 52.5%, and the largest rise was in 2019, up 24.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bhutan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018-2021, India dominated Bhutan's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, accounting for 98.8% of the total.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Bhutan in value, 2018-2021