Beef and buffalo meat market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Eastern Africa saw production rise from 2 458 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 2 657 thousand tonnes in 2019, with market volume expanding similarly, despite recurring droughts, foot and mouth disease outbreaks, and cattle theft that constrained local supply and pushed prices higher. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when a ban on cattle transportation from the Ankole sub-region contributed to a decline, reducing production to 2 594 thousand tonnes and market size to 2 600 thousand tonnes.

From 2021 to 2022, the market recovered gradually, reaching 2 690 thousand tonnes of production, though persistent dry spells, high feed costs, and expensive transport continued to pressure supply chains. A significant expansion occurred in 2023, with production jumping to 2 870 thousand tonnes and market volume hitting 2 876 thousand tonnes, driven by rising global demand and increased investment in feedlot systems and commercial farming, which enhanced production capacity and market coordination.

In 2024, industry efforts focused on forming strategic partnerships to improve production sustainability and reduce carbon emissions, while consumer preferences shifted towards healthier, organic, and ethically sourced meat. Government and private sector initiatives aimed to comply with international standards to boost export potential, although no major new production facilities or legislative changes were reported.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Eastern Africa

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 Eastern Africa saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, production reached 2 594 K t, representing a 2.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 657 K t, with the largest annual increase of 8.1% also occurring that year.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 1 510 t, while the peak was reached in 2018 with 4 626 t, resulting in a 3.1-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 1 796 t of beef and buffalo meat, marking an 18.9% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 67.3%, whereas the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 21.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, beef and buffalo meat exports from Eastern Africa were not heavily concentrated among a few key destinations. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 28.5% of exports in kind, Vietnam for 10.9%, and Bahrain for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 49.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Beef and buffalo meat exports from Eastern Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 7 017 K $ US, a 31.8% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 57.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -24.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 18 656 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 44.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 13.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, beef and buffalo meat exports from Eastern Africa in value terms were not highly concentrated. The United Arab Emirates contributed 27.3% of exports in value terms, the Democratic Republic of the Congo 10.4%, and Bahrain 9.2%. Collectively, these three destinations accounted for only 46.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Beef and buffalo meat imports into Eastern Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 7 911 t, showing a significant decrease of 12.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.1%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 9 659 t, with the largest increase of 11.1% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for beef and buffalo meat imports into Eastern Africa in kind were India with 38.5%, South Africa with 27.9%, and Australia with 10.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 76.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's beef and buffalo meat imports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 35 732 K $ US, which is 13.9% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.5%, equating to an annualized rate of -5.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 45 915 K $ US, with the largest increase of 7.3% also occurring that year.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the primary suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Eastern Africa in value terms were South Africa with 33.9%, India with 27.2%, and Australia with 19.9%. These three countries jointly accounted for 81.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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