Beef and buffalo meat market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for beef and buffalo meat in Lebanon peaked at 73 401 tons in 2019 before entering a sustained decline, dropping to 52 973 tons by 2023. This reduction coincided with a gradual decrease in domestic production, which fell from 49 523 tons in 2018 to 39 254 tons in 2023.

Imports, a key component of market supply, fluctuated significantly during this period. After reaching a high of 24 843 tons in 2019, imports fell sharply to 13 852 tons in 2023. The volatility in foreign supply contributed to the overall contraction in market size.

Market conditions were shaped by several pressures, including rising meat prices linked to higher import costs and currency exchange volatility. Consumer behavior shifted, with demand moving toward cheaper chicken meat due to significant price differences. Additionally, government intervention through official price lists for animal products and instances of fraud in the meat supply chain further affected market dynamics.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Lebanon

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

Lebanon's production of beef and buffalo meat in 2020 reached 48,834 tonnes, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.6%, averaging 1.5% annually. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 49,523 tonnes, marking a 6.1% increase. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 1.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of beef and buffalo meat production in Lebanon was $235.2 million, representing a 15.9% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at $263.2 million, reflecting a 23.4% increase. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $202.9 million, which saw a decline of 22.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lebanon in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Lebanon's exports of beef and buffalo meat showed significant fluctuations during the period. In 2020, exports amounted to 106 tonnes, a 76.3% increase from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 60 tonnes. Exports varied considerably, with a 3.3-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 51.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of Lebanese beef and buffalo meat by volume were India (20.8% of exports), Qatar (15.9%), and Kuwait (13.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 50.0% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market for beef and buffalo meat from Lebanon exhibited volatility during the observed period. In 2020, export value reached $0.5 million, a substantial 103.4% increase year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $0.3 million, which saw a decline of 51.5%. Exports varied widely, with a 3.7-fold gap between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Lebanese beef and buffalo meat exports were distributed across many countries. Even the top destinations—the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and India—collectively represented only 47.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Lebanon's imports of beef and buffalo meat declined in 2020, totaling 18,774 tonnes—a sharp 24.4% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 24,843 tonnes, which saw a 31.7% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil (57.1% of imports by volume), Colombia (13.0%), and Paraguay (9.7%) remained the primary suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Lebanon. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Lebanon's imports of beef and buffalo meat declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling $81.8 million—a significant 31.9% drop year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 36.7%, averaging a 14.1% annual decline. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at $136.6 million, which saw a 5.8% increase.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Brazil (57.5% of import value), Colombia (12.2%), and Paraguay (10.6%) played leading roles in supplying beef and buffalo meat to Lebanon. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 80.3% of total import value.

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

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