Beef and buffalo meat market in Israel

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Israel expanded from 216.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 256.3 thousand tons in 2019, primarily due to an increase in duty-free quotas for fresh beef imports that boosted supply. This period also saw the establishment of the Mire Golan cooperative in the Golan Heights, promoting natural, antibiotic-free cattle farming and adding to domestic production diversity. In 2020, market volume dipped to 243.2 thousand tons, even as duty-free import quotas continued to rise and organic cattle farming expanded.

Market volume rebounded to 284.4 thousand tons in 2021, supported by further expansion of duty-free import quotas that ensured a steady flow of fresh beef. Per capita consumption reached 19.6 kg by 2022, having grown 50% over six years, helping push the total market to 293.8 thousand tons that year, even amid growing consumer openness to plant-based alternatives. Then, in 2023, a reported approximate 11% reduction in beef supply contributed to a market contraction to 268.0 thousand tons, alongside increased government focus on fresh meat quality and labeling integrity.

Imports of beef and buffalo meat rose to 127.8 thousand tons in 2024, influenced by broader regulatory changes in the meat sector, including the approval of Brazil for chicken imports, which may have indirectly affected trade dynamics for beef.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Israel

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

In 2019, Israel's beef and buffalo meat production reached its peak at 141.1 thousand tons. This was followed by a slight decline to 138.7 thousand tons in 2020, representing a 1.7% decrease from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 122.4 thousand tons. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 with a 15.3% rise, while the largest decline was observed in 2018 with a 13.0% drop.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Israel

Exports in kind, K t

Israel's beef and buffalo meat exports remained stable at 0.1 thousand tons in 2020, showing little change from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports experienced remarkable growth, increasing by 4,183.9% overall. This translates to a compound annual growth rate of 249.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Israel's beef and buffalo meat exports were highly concentrated geographically. Hong Kong alone accounted for 99.3% of all export volumes during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Israel's beef and buffalo meat exports were valued at 0.4 million US dollars, maintaining a broadly stable level compared to the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, export values surged by 4,600%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 260.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel's beef and buffalo meat export market showed pronounced dependence on a single destination. Hong Kong accounted for 99.5% of the total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Israel

Imports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of growth, Israel's beef and buffalo meat imports declined in 2020. Import volumes reached 104.6 thousand tons that year, marking a modest 9.2% decrease from 2019. The highest import level was recorded in 2019 at 115.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 22.3%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 22.6%, representing an annualized growth rate of 7.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay emerged as Israel's primary sources for beef and buffalo meat imports by volume. Argentina accounted for 25.2% of imports, followed by Uruguay at 18.0%, and Paraguay at 17.7%. Together, these three countries represented 60.9% of Israel's total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Israel's beef and buffalo meat imports were valued at 601.0 million US dollars, reflecting a 3.1% decline from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 620.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 18.7%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 522.2 million US dollars, when imports saw their most significant decline of 4.6%. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import values increased by 9.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina, Poland, and Uruguay were the leading suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Israel by value. Argentina accounted for 25.6% of import value, Poland for 17.9%, and Uruguay for 17.4%. Collectively, these three markets represented 61.0% of Israel's total import value for beef and buffalo meat during this period.

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

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