Beef and buffalo meat market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the beef and buffalo meat market in Iran contracted, with volume falling from 340.5 thousand tons to 285.8 thousand tons. This decline was influenced by volatile government policies, including bans and liberalizations on exports and imports, which created instability in production. In 2020, global food price increases and supply chain disruptions, coupled with the elimination of a preferential exchange rate for livestock feed, raised production costs and further pressured the market.

The market rebounded sharply in 2021, reaching 373.9 thousand tons, driven by a significant increase in domestic production. However, from 2022 to 2023, the market volume fell again to 285.5 thousand tons. This period was marked by the continued effect of high feed prices due to currency policy changes, reports of reduced output for certain animals, and price volatility stemming from exchange rate fluctuations and transportation expenses.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Iran

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

Following a two-year decline, beef and buffalo meat production in Iran rebounded in 2020. That year, Iran produced 254.5 K t of beef and buffalo meat, representing a significant year-over-year increase of 44.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 175.8 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 20.7%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Iran

Exports in kind, K t

Iran's exports of beef and buffalo meat stood at 0.0 K t in 2020, showing a modest increase of 6.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 35.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq were the leading destinations for Iran's beef and buffalo meat exports in kind. Pakistan accounted for 44.2% of exports, Afghanistan for 28.7%, and Iraq for 27.1%, together making up 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Iran exported 0.0 M $ US of beef and buffalo meat, marking a sharp increase of 107.6% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq dominated the structure of Iran's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms. Afghanistan led with 42.9% of exports, followed by Pakistan at 36.5%, and Iraq at 20.7%, collectively representing 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Iran

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their highest level in 2019 and their lowest in 2020, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Iran imported 31.3 K t of beef and buffalo meat, down by 78.8% compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 147.7 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 24.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates together accounted for 83.1% of Iran's total imports of beef and buffalo meat in kind, with the remaining flows distributed thinly across other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import values hit their minimum in 2020 and their maximum in 2019, with a 4.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, the volume of beef and buffalo meat imports to Iran reached 132.9 M $ US, a decrease of 77.9% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 601.4 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 19.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, two countries—Brazil and the United Arab Emirates—concentrated the majority of Iran's imports of beef and buffalo meat in value terms, while other markets played a less significant role individually.

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

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