Beef and buffalo meat market in Kuwait

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the beef and buffalo meat market in Kuwait expanded steadily, with volume rising from 35 195 tonnes to 42 201 tonnes. This growth was followed by a period of stabilization in 2021, when the market reached 42 091 tonnes. However, a downward trend emerged in the subsequent years, bringing the market size down to 36 547 tonnes by 2023.

In 2024, notable developments included price and product initiatives from key market participants. Al-Mawashi, a major livestock company, planned to reduce domestic meat prices by up to 10% during the first quarter of 2024 while introducing innovative product varieties. Simultaneously, supplier Taiba Farms worked to supply high-quality chilled and frozen beef to retail chains, hotels, and packaging plants in Kuwait, diversifying its offerings to meet market needs.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Kuwait

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

In 2019, Kuwait's beef and buffalo meat production reached its peak at 2 906 tons. However, in 2020, production dropped significantly to 2 049 tons, marking a dramatic 29.5% decline compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 35.5%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Kuwait

Exports in kind, t

Kuwait's beef and buffalo meat exports showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, then surged to a maximum of 2 264 tons in 2018, representing a 5.8-fold increase between these years. By 2020, exports had fallen to 638 tons, down 54.8% year-over-year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 475.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Jordan, and Qatar were the top destinations for Kuwait's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume terms. Iraq accounted for 40.4% of exports, Jordan for 22.8%, and Qatar for 18.1%. Together, these three countries represented 81.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of Kuwait's beef and buffalo meat exports exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked at 8.6 million US dollars in 2018, creating a 5.4-fold gap between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 3.3 million US dollars, down 4.5% from 2019. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 442.8%, while the largest decline was in 2019 at 59.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq, Qatar, and Jordan were the primary markets for Kuwait's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms. Iraq accounted for 32.8% of export value, Qatar for 23.5%, and Jordan for 20.4%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 76.8% of total export value, making them the main destinations.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Kuwait

Imports in kind, t

Kuwait's beef and buffalo meat imports increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 40 790 tons, up 8.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 13.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 35 314 tons, which represented a 1.4% decline from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, India, and Australia consistently served as the main sources for Kuwait's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume terms. Pakistan accounted for 24.2% of imports, India for 17.8%, and Australia for 14.3%. Together, these three countries supplied 56.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Kuwait's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 238.8 million US dollars, a rise of 2.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 28.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, Australia, and India formed the key group of partners for Kuwait's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms. Pakistan accounted for 22.5% of import value, Australia for 20.1%, and India for 12.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 54.7% of total import flows.

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

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