Beef and buffalo meat market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

The Bolivian beef and buffalo meat market transformed after 2018 when access to the Chinese market opened following a technical mission. This triggered substantial investments in genetic improvement, animal nutrition, health, and transport infrastructure, aiming to boost production quality and volume. The national cattle herd grew consistently, surpassing 10 million head by 2020, with the Santa Cruz and Beni regions consolidating as the dominant production zones.

A sustained increase in exports to China, beginning in 2019, initially redirected production overseas, leading to a temporary contraction in domestic market volume. However, continued technological investments and the launch of state support mechanisms, notably the 2021 Program for the Promotion of Bovine Livestock for Small Producers, fueled a steady rise in national output. From 2021 onward, production growth outpaced the expansion of exports, allowing the domestic market volume to recover and expand, reaching 300.5 thousand tons in 2023.

Export growth remained the primary industry driver, with record shipments in 2022 and a 38% increase in export volume in 2023. The certification of new international destinations, including Egypt in 2022, diversified markets while China continued to absorb the vast majority of export value. These factors, supported by ongoing infrastructure development and adherence to international sanitary and Halal standards, underpinned historical production peaks and solidified the expansion of the domestic market volume in the later years of the period.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Bolivia

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

In 2019, Bolivia's beef and buffalo meat production saw a slight decline of 0.6%. However, by 2020, output rebounded to 276.4 thousand tons, marking a moderate 3.7% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Bolivia's beef and buffalo meat production experienced a downturn in value. In 2019, output reached its peak at 1,391 million US dollars, but by 2020, it had fallen to 1,212 million US dollars, representing a notable 12.9% decrease. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 4.4%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 6.8%, averaging a 2.3% annualized decrease.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

Bolivia's beef and buffalo meat exports have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, export volume reached 14,565 tons, reflecting a substantial 396.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 1,523.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 153.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bolivia's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume terms were heavily concentrated on China, which accounted for 78.4% of total shipments, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bolivia's beef and buffalo meat exports have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 63,835 thousand US dollars, showing an abrupt gain of 317.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 1,323.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 142.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, China and Peru dominated Bolivia's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms, together accounting for 99.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2019, imports peaked at 231 tons, but by 2020, they dropped sharply to 24 tons, reflecting a 9.5-fold gap between these years. This represents an 89.5% reduction from the prior year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 222.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the sole source for Bolivia's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume terms, consistently absorbing 100.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. In 2019, import value reached its maximum at 602 thousand US dollars, but by 2020, it fell to a minimum, showing an 8.7-fold variation between these two years. This amounted to an 88.5% year-over-year drop. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 225.1%.

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

In 2017–2020, 100.0% of Bolivia's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms were directed to Brazil, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

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