Beef and buffalo meat market in Gabon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Gabon's beef and buffalo meat market volume showed considerable variation, declining from 11 294 tons in 2018 to a low of 7 193 tons in 2020 before partially recovering. The market reached 9 514 tons in 2023, with import trends indicating sustained high volumes into 2024.

Production faced repeated challenges. In 2021, inflation, high feed prices, and animal diseases weighed on cattle herds. Severe drought in northern Gabon during 2022 damaged pastures and water access, while soaring input costs reduced farmers' profitability, leading to herd depletion and lower domestic output.

The market's expansion in 2023 was supported by a looser global beef supply, which likely improved import affordability. Ongoing global cost pressures and regulatory measures like France's Egalim 2 law continued to shape import dynamics in 2024.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Gabon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

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

Gabon's beef and buffalo meat production declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 919 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen sharply to 793 tonnes—a drop of 13.7%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 14%, which works out to an average annual decline of 4.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 021 tonnes, which also marked the largest year-on-year increase of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Gabon in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Gabon

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their peak in 2017 and then fell to their lowest point in 2019, with a staggering 1 000-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Gabon's beef and buffalo meat exports rebounded to 0.2 tonnes, representing a dramatic increase of 4 100.0% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was by far the dominant buyer of Gabon's beef and buffalo meat, accounting for 99.3% of total exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated notable volatility throughout the observed period. Export values peaked in 2017 and then dropped to their minimum in 2019, showing a massive 675-fold swing. In 2020, Gabon exported 2 000 US dollars worth of beef and buffalo meat, marking an extraordinary year-on-year gain of 7 804.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France served as the key and nearly exclusive market for Gabon's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms, representing 96.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Gabon

Imports in kind, t

Gabon's beef and buffalo meat imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2019, import volume was 9 667 tonnes, but by 2020 it had dropped sharply to 6 400 tonnes—a decrease of 33.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 44.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 17.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Brazil, and Paraguay consistently remained the main sources of beef and buffalo meat imports to Gabon by volume. India accounted for 51.4% of imports, Brazil for 27.9%, and Paraguay for 4.1%, together making up 83.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Gabon's beef and buffalo meat import values declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, imports totaled 23 783 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 they had fallen to 14 150 thousand US dollars—a drop of 40.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, import values decreased by 58.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 25.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, India, Brazil, and France were the primary suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Gabon in value terms. India accounted for 46.8% of import value, Brazil for 28.4%, and France for 5.8%, collectively representing 81.0% of total imports.

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

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