Beef and buffalo meat market in Gambia

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Gambia fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023. After reaching 3,618 t in 2019, consumption fell sharply to 2,967 t in 2020, a decline that coincided with global pandemic lockdowns and sanitary restrictions which disrupted trade and dampened demand worldwide.

Market volume recovered to 3,291 t by 2022, supported by increased global beef availability as major exporters like Brazil and Argentina boosted shipments. This expansion in world supply allowed Gambia to increase imports, compensating for a continued decline in domestic production during those years.

In 2023, the market contracted again to 3,087 t. Global industry reports highlighted a persistent imbalance between tight supply and strong demand in key producing regions, which likely constrained import flows into Gambia. Meanwhile, local production saw a slight increase for the first time since 2018, indicating some resilience in the domestic sector.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Gambia

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

Gambia's beef and buffalo meat production has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 2,407 tonnes, representing an 11.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 32.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 12.4%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Gambia

According to a desk-based market study, Gambia did not export any beef and buffalo meat between 2017 and 2020.

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Gambia

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Gambia imported 559.7 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, marking a sharp reduction of 38.7% compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 913.4 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 193.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, the United States, and India were the main sources of imports in kind, accounting for 34.0%, 22.5%, and 14.4% of the total, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 70.9% of Gambia's imports in this category.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2018 at 90.6 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2019 at 267.7 thousand US dollars, resulting in a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of beef and buffalo meat shipments to Gambia was 201.8 thousand US dollars, a 24.6% decrease year-on-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 31.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 195.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, the United States, and Saudi Arabia formed the core of imports in value terms, contributing 32.8%, 23.6%, and 11.0% of the total, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 67.4% of the total import flows.

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

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