Beef and buffalo meat market in Ethiopia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Ethiopia's beef and buffalo meat market volume demonstrated strong growth from 2018 to 2020, increasing from 397 thousand tons to 442 thousand tons. This expansion represented a rise of over 11%, driven primarily by domestic production as imports remained negligible.

A contraction phase followed, with the market size decreasing to 406 thousand tons by 2022. This decline of approximately 8% from the 2020 peak marked a significant reversal of the previous upward trend.

In 2023, the market rebounded to 419 thousand tons, indicating a partial recovery. Overall, the period from 2018 to 2023 was characterized by initial growth, a subsequent downturn, and a recent stabilization.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Ethiopia

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

Ethiopia's beef and buffalo meat production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 442.2 K t of beef and buffalo meat, which represents a 5.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat production in Ethiopia has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 416 M $ US, showing a moderate increase of 5.3% from the prior year. However, between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 5.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 342 M $ US, with the largest decline of 10.3% also occurring in that year.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. In 2020, Ethiopia's beef and buffalo meat export volume was 171 t, marking a sharp decrease of 81.9% compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 075 t, with the largest increase of 80.9% also in 2018. From the low in 2020 to the high in 2018, export volumes varied by a factor of 18.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were the primary destinations for Ethiopia's beef and buffalo meat exports in kind, together accounting for 92.4% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed notable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, beef and buffalo meat exports from Ethiopia were valued at 548 K $ US, representing a decline of 82.0% from the prior year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 321 K $ US, with the largest increase of 60.7% also in 2018. The peak-to-trough ratio from the high in 2018 to the low in 2020 was 19 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain consistently accounted for 91.7% of Ethiopia's total beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms. This indicates a high degree of market concentration, with a long tail of smaller markets making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2020, Ethiopia's beef and buffalo meat import volume totaled 21 t, up by 41.5% from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 t, with the largest decline of 40.0% also in 2018. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 360.8%. From the low in 2018 to the high in 2020, import volumes varied by a factor of 6.5.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia were the main sources for Ethiopia's beef and buffalo meat imports in kind. South Africa accounted for 51.7% of imports, the United Arab Emirates for 24.5%, and Saudi Arabia for 5.9%, together making up 82.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. In 2020, beef and buffalo meat import volumes in Ethiopia amounted to 112 K $ US, equivalent to a dramatic rise of 106.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 35 K $ US, with the largest decline of 64.1% also in 2018. From the low in 2018 to the high in 2020, import values varied by a factor of 3.2.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—South Africa, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates—together absorbed 80.9% of Ethiopia's total beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms.

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

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