Beef and buffalo meat market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The Egyptian beef and buffalo meat market entered the period under the influence of revised agricultural legislation, notably the 2018 amendment to Agriculture Law No. 109, which established new slaughter rules including a minimum age and weight for cattle. These regulations required local processors to adapt their operations and update licensing systems, contributing to a contraction in domestic production volumes in the initial years.

Subsequent market dynamics were shaped by external shocks and economic pressures. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted enhanced oversight of frozen beef imports, tightening supply. Concurrently, a sustained rise in global feed prices for soybeans and corn increased livestock rearing costs, pressuring production margins. Domestic consumer demand was further dampened by currency fluctuations, foreign exchange shortages, and high inflation, which reduced purchasing power and led the government to initiate discounted meat sales through official outlets to alleviate the burden on households.

Market volume saw a temporary rebound in 2022, even as live cattle imports faced continued restrictions due to economic pressures and enhanced health checks related to mad cow disease concerns. However, a sharp decline to 673.4 thousand tons occurred in 2023, driven by the disruptive impact of the conflict in Sudan on live cattle supply routes, persistently high feed costs, and a forecasted decline in consumer consumption due to eroded purchasing power.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt ranked 19th globally in beef and buffalo meat production.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

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

Egypt's beef and buffalo meat production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 585.0 K t, marking an 8.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 22.8%, with an average annual decline of 8.3%. The highest output was in 2018 at 778.8 K t, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 17.6% decrease. In contrast, 2018 saw a modest increase of 2.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Egypt's beef and buffalo meat production value also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, it was valued at 2 472 M $ US, down 6.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 11.4%, averaging a 3.9% annual decline. The peak was in 2018 at 3 250 M $ US, with the sharpest fall in 2019 at 19.0%. However, 2018 experienced a significant rise of 16.6%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Egypt

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. The lowest level was in 2019 at 0.3 K t, while the highest was in 2017, creating a 3.6-fold difference. In 2020, exports from Egypt reached 0.6 K t, a 105.7% increase year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 60.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain were the top contributors to Egypt's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume, accounting for 49.7%, 15.0%, and 11.8% respectively. Together, they made up 76.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market displayed an unstable trend during this period. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 M $ US, and the highest in 2017, with a 3.2-fold variation between them. In 2020, exports totaled 2 M $ US, up 112.0% from the previous year. The most significant decline was in 2018, falling by 54.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain were the primary markets for Egypt's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms, collectively representing 76.3% of total exports.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Egypt

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Egypt's beef and buffalo meat imports declined. In 2020, imports stood at 266.7 K t, an 8.3% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 15.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0%. The peak was in 2019 at 290.7 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 23.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and India dominated Egypt's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume, together accounting for 94.0% of the total. Other countries contributed to a more diversified but smaller share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year rise, Egypt's beef and buffalo meat import value declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 312 M $ US, down 9.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, import value grew by 25.7%, averaging 7.9% annually. The highest value was in 2019 at 1 453 M $ US, which also recorded the largest increase of 23.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil and India remained the key suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Egypt in value terms, holding a combined share of 94.0%. The remainder was spread across various other countries, forming a fragmented tail.

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

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