Market research

Beef and buffalo meat market in Lesotho

Beef and buffalo meat market in Lesotho

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Lesotho showed notable volatility between 2018 and 2023, with total volume reaching a high of 4 373 t in 2023 after dipping to 3 244 t in 2019. Over the full period, the market expanded by 20%, a growth sustained largely by increasing imports, which rose from 1 968 t to 3 236 t.

Domestic production fell from 1 680 t in 2018 to a low of 956 t in 2022 before partially recovering to 1 137 t in 2023. This decline in local output was offset by the steady climb in imported beef, ensuring overall market supply continued to rise throughout most of the period.

In 2024, import volumes retreated to 2 567 t, although the complete market size for the year is not yet reflected in the data. The market's structure remained import-dependent, with foreign shipments consistently making up the majority of available beef.

Table of content

  1. 1. Disclaimer
  2. 2. Terms of use of the report
  3. 3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
  4. 4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
    1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
      1. 4.1.1. In kind
        1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
        2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
        3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
        4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
    2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
  5. 5. Production
    1. 5.1. Production in Lesotho
      1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Lesotho in kind, 2018-2023, t
      2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Lesotho in value, 2018-2023, $ US
    2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
      1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
      2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
      3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
      4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
      5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  6. 6. Imports
    1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
      1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
      2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
        1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, t
        2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, t
        3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
      3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
        1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
        2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
        3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
      4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
        1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/t
        2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
      1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
      2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
        1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, t
        2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, t
        3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
      3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
        1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
        2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
        3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
      4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
        1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/t
        2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
  7. 7. Exports
    1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
      1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
      2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
        1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, t
        2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, t
        3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
      3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
        1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
        2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
        3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
      4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
        1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/t
        2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
      1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
      2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
        1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, t
        2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, t
        3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
      3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
        1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
        2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
        3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
      4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
        1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/t
        2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
  8. 8. Trade balance
    1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
      1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
      2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
    2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
      1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
      2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
  9. 9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
    1. 9.1. Direct Data
      1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
      2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
    2. 9.2. Mirror Data
      1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
      2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production beef and buffalo meat in Lesotho

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Following two consecutive years of decline, beef and buffalo meat production in Lesotho rebounded in 2020. That year, output reached 1 636 tonnes, representing a 17.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, however, production fell by 17.7%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 392 tonnes, which also saw the steepest annual decline of 17.1%.

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

Parameter201820192020CAGR
1Change from last year(15.4%)(17.1%)17.5%(6.3%)
Source: SHEV.io

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Lesotho

Exports in kind, t

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

Parameter201820192020CAGR
1Change from last yearn/an/an/a-
Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 through 2020, South Africa was virtually the sole buyer of beef and buffalo meat from Lesotho, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Parameter201820192020CAGR
1Change from last yearn/an/an/a-
Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017–2020 period, South Africa effectively held a monopoly on the value of beef and buffalo meat exports from Lesotho, capturing 100.0% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Lesotho

Imports in kind, t

After declining for two years, beef and buffalo meat imports into Lesotho rose in 2020. Imports reached 1 951 tonnes, reflecting a modest year-on-year increase of 5.4%. Looking at the full 2017–2020 span, imports dropped by 55.1%, which corresponds to a compound annual decline of 23.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 1 852 tonnes, while the most significant annual decrease occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 54.7%.

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

Parameter201820192020CAGR
1Change from last year(54.7%)(5.9%)5.4%(23.4%)
Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa consistently served as the primary and most stable source for beef and buffalo meat imports into Lesotho, representing 55.8% of total import volumes.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year downturn, foreign supplies of beef and buffalo meat to Lesotho increased in 2020. Import value climbed to 3 490 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 22.5% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, however, import value declined by 47.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -19.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 850 thousand US dollars, with the sharpest annual drop occurring in 2018 at 46.5%.

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

Parameter201820192020CAGR
1Change from last year(46.5%)(20.5%)22.5%(19.6%)
Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa remained the leading supplier of beef and buffalo meat to Lesotho in value terms, accounting for 58.0% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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