Beef and buffalo meat market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Ghana showed strong growth from 2018 to 2023, with total market volume rising from 29 783 t to 42 246 t. This expansion was characterized by a steady increase in domestic production, which climbed from 26 716 t to 30 618 t over the period, providing a stable foundation for the market.

Import volumes were highly variable, reaching a peak of 12 680 t in 2020 and contributing to a market high of 41 679 t that year. Subsequent years saw imports fluctuate significantly, which directly drove the total market size to 44 257 t in 2022 before a slight correction to 42 246 t in 2023.

The overall market trajectory was upward, despite the volatility in imports, reflecting a growing domestic supply base alongside changing levels of foreign meat entering the country.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Ghana

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

Ghana's beef and buffalo meat production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 28 999 tonnes, marking a steady increase of 3.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 11%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Ghana

Exports in kind, t

The export market displayed significant volatility during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018, then surged to a peak in 2019, showing a dramatic 256-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ghana's foreign beef and buffalo meat supplies dropped sharply to 0.0 tonnes, representing a 99.6% decrease compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 tonnes, which also saw the largest percentage increase of 25 490.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Niger was the primary destination for Ghana's beef and buffalo meat exports, consistently accounting for 98.4% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed considerable volatility over these years. The lowest point occurred in 2018, followed by a peak in 2019, with a 25-fold gap between them. In 2020, cross-border shipments of beef and buffalo meat from Ghana amounted to 0.1 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 66.3% decline from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest percentage increase of 2 414.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, two markets—Niger and New Zealand—dominated Ghana's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms, together capturing 92.2% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Ghana

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes exhibited notable volatility throughout the observed period. The lowest level was recorded in 2018, followed by the highest in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.1 times. In 2020, Ghana's beef and buffalo meat imports reached 12 680 tonnes, indicating a substantial 92.4% increase from the previous year. The minimum volume was 3 067 tonnes in 2018, which saw the largest decline of 8.3%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 114.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands (29.6% of import volumes), Belgium (20.5%), and Ireland (12.5%) were the main suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Ghana, together comprising 62.6% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Import values reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, varying by 5.5 times between these extremes. In 2020, beef and buffalo meat deliveries to Ghana stood at 17 496 thousand US dollars, up by 387.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 188 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (39.2% of import value), Ireland (13.1%), and Belgium (12.1%) formed the core group of markets for Ghana's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, with a combined share of 64.4% of total flows.

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

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