Beef and buffalo meat market in Laos

Earlier Report Observations

Beef and buffalo meat production in Laos grew steadily from 56 157 t in 2018 to 66 733 t in 2023. This expansion occurred within a market structure dominated by small-scale, traditional agro-pastoral systems, which typically limit productivity. However, a gradual increase in the global cattle and buffalo herd, particularly in emerging economies, provided an indirect boost to local production capacity and helped support the upward trend in output.

The overall market volume for beef and buffalo meat rose from 56 576 t to 67 010 t over the same period. Imports and exports showed significant volatility, peaking in 2020 before sharply declining. By 2024, the government had implemented restrictions on importing certain agricultural and meat products, specifically allowing only high-quality beef, lamb, and ostrich meat for limited uses like hotels and restaurants. This policy aimed to shield domestic producers from foreign competition and contributed to the very low import volume of 66 t in 2024.

Economic growth fueled by foreign direct investment, primarily from China, Thailand, and Vietnam, improved infrastructure and increased urban demand for meat. This investment inflow acted as a key driver for market expansion. Furthermore, deeply ingrained traditional culinary habits, with beef and buffalo meat featuring prominently in daily and special-occasion diets, provided a stable foundation for consistent domestic consumption throughout the period.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Laos

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

Laos has seen its beef and buffalo meat production rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 58 575 tonnes, marking a 1.2% year-on-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 7.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Laos

Exports in kind, t

The market for beef and buffalo meat exports from Laos showed significant fluctuations during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 355 tonnes, with the largest decline of 53.7% occurring that year. The following year, 2019, saw the largest increase at 355.0%. By 2020, exports peaked at 2 124 tonnes, representing a sharp 31.6% rise compared to 2019. Overall, there was a sixfold variation between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Laos's beef and buffalo meat exports were almost entirely directed to Thailand, which accounted for 100.0% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for beef and buffalo meat from Laos displayed an unstable pattern over the timeframe. In 2018, the value dropped to its minimum of 1 853 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 28.1% recorded that year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 77.4%. By 2020, export values reached a high of 3 776 thousand US dollars, showing a robust 14.9% increase from the previous year. Overall, values fluctuated twofold between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand was the dominant destination for Laos's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms, capturing 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Laos

Imports in kind, t

Laos has experienced a third consecutive year of growth in beef and buffalo meat imports. In 2020, imports totaled 2 972 tonnes, reflecting a substantial 59.2% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 333.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 63.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, India was the leading source for Laos's beef and buffalo meat imports by volume, holding a 72.2% share of total imports, while other markets contributed relatively smaller portions.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Laos has recorded a third straight year of growth in the value of beef and buffalo meat imports. In 2020, imports amounted to 6 271 thousand US dollars, indicating an abrupt 50.1% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values increased by 67.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Thailand, and Vietnam were the key partners for Laos's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms. India accounted for 54.7% of imports, Thailand for 13.6%, and Vietnam for 9.6%, together making up 78.0% of total import flows.

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

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