Market research

Beef and buffalo meat market in Central America

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Central America" region includes following countries:

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Central America expanded steadily in volume from 2 385 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 721 thousand tons in 2023, while its value rose more sharply from 13.5 billion USD to 19.3 billion USD, reflecting overall price increases. Growth was particularly strong in 2021 and 2023, with a period of stabilization in 2019-2020 where volume remained around 2 400 thousand tons.

In 2022, volume growth slowed to just 0.5%, contrasting with continued value growth. This coincided with supply-side pressures that increased production costs: higher prices for feed grains like corn and soy due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and adverse weather in the U.S., rising fuel costs, and cattle smuggling to Mexico that disrupted local supplies. These factors pushed up retail meat prices, moderating consumption growth and containing volume expansion.

The market accelerated again in 2023, with volume jumping 9% to reach 2 721 thousand tons and value increasing to 19.3 billion USD, indicating a recovery in demand or improved supply conditions.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Central America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production beef and buffalo meat in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Central America's beef and buffalo meat production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 692 K t, marking a 2.3% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.7%	3.0%	2.3%	2.3%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat production in Central America has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 14 976 M $ US, up 5.3% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.8%	1.1%	5.3%	3.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of beef and buffalo meat from Central America have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 402.6 K t, a 9.1% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 29.7%, averaging 9.1% per year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 301.7 K t, which saw a decline of 2.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 22.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.8%)	22.3%	9.1%	9.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant destination for Central America's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume terms, accounting for 74.6% of total flows. Other countries each held much smaller shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Central America's beef and buffalo meat exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 240 M $ US, a significant 12.3% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 33.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 661 M $ US, which experienced a 0.8% decline. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 20.1% surge.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.8%)	20.1%	12.3%	10.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States led the partner structure for beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms, holding a 77.8% share of total flows. Other markets had relatively modest shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Central America imported 115.3 K t of beef and buffalo meat, down 19.7% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16.9%, with a compound annual decline of 6.0%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 143.7 K t, which saw an increase of 10.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.2%)	10.4%	(19.7%)	(6.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Canada were the main sources for Central America's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume terms, together making up 69.4% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Central America's imports of beef and buffalo meat declined in 2020. The region imported 905 M $ US, a 21.0% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 9.8%, with a compound annual decline of 3.4%. The peak value was in 2019 at 1 146 M $ US, which had increased by 7.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.1%	7.6%	(21.0%)	(3.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Canada were the key markets for Central America's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 79.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io