Beef and buffalo meat market in Mauritius

Earlier Report Observations

Covering 2018 to 2020, the beef and buffalo meat market in Mauritius initially expanded, with volume rising from 6 444 t to 6 496 t, driven by enhanced local production under the Mauritius Meat Authority's slaughter controls and stronger fresh meat consumption during festive periods. The COVID-19 pandemic then triggered a downturn, reducing market volume to 5 704 t in 2020 as restrictions disrupted demand and distribution.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market experienced volatility. A partial recovery to 5 879 t in 2021 occurred alongside rising input costs and persistent veterinary restrictions. In 2022, local production climbed to 2 071 t, helping lift market volume to 6 013 t even after state subsidies ended and premium aged beef was launched. However, 2023 saw a sharp contraction to 3 177 t, as veterinary barriers limited imports and consumers shifted toward cheaper chicken.

For 2024, global beef market conditions have eased with increased South American and Australian supply, potentially influencing Mauritian imports, while local industry trends continue to focus on product diversification and quality improvements.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Mauritius

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

Mauritius experienced a two-year growth in beef and buffalo meat production before seeing a decline. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 931 tons. However, by 2020, it had fallen to 1 826 tons, marking a 5.4% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 2.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 7.6%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Mauritius

Exports in kind, t

Mauritius exported just 1 ton of beef and buffalo meat in 2020, representing a sharp 36.1% drop compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports plummeted by 94%, with a compound annual growth rate of -60.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the dominant player in Mauritius's beef and buffalo meat exports by volume, accounting for 80.8% of the total. Other countries each held much smaller shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the export value of beef and buffalo meat from Mauritius was 3 thousand US dollars, a dramatic 96.1% decrease from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms fell by 97.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -69.7%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, two key markets—India and Australia—led Mauritius's beef and buffalo meat exports in value, together making up 98.9% of the total. The remaining exports were spread across other destinations.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Mauritius

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Mauritius's imports of beef and buffalo meat declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 4 568 tons, but by 2020, they had dropped to 3 880 tons, a significant 15.1% reduction. From 2017 to 2020, overall imports decreased by 11.8%, averaging an annual decline of 4.1%. The largest year-over-year increase was in 2018, when imports rose by 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—India, Australia, and South Africa—collectively supplied 89.7% of Mauritius's beef and buffalo meat imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Mauritius's beef and buffalo meat import value declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, it reached a high of 22 756 thousand US dollars, but by 2020, it had fallen to 17 714 thousand US dollars, a substantial 21.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value dropped by 22.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, three major markets—India, Australia, and South Africa—were central to Mauritius's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, together accounting for 90.7% of the total flows.

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

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