Beef and buffalo meat market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in MENA showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After growing to 2.95 million tons in 2019, market volume dropped to 2.72 million tons in 2020. This decline was driven by reduced beef production in the United Arab Emirates and a sharp fall in cattle slaughter in Kuwait, which constrained red meat supply across the Gulf region.

Market volume recovered to 2.85 million tons in 2021 and stabilized at 2.87 million tons in 2022. During this period, consumer preferences in the UAE shifted, with fresh beef remaining the most consumed product but demand growing for frozen and processed beef, helping to sustain overall consumption. In 2023, the market contracted to 2.56 million tons, a year that saw the entry of global meat processor JBS into the region through acquisitions and plans to source cattle locally from Oman and North Africa.

In 2024, beef imports into the region reached 1.2 million tons. Market dynamics were influenced by increased beef demand during Ramadan and rising global corn prices, which elevated production costs, while JBS continued to expand its local supply chain operations in the Middle East.

Production beef and buffalo meat in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

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

Following two consecutive years of decline, beef and buffalo meat production in the MENA region rebounded in 2020. That year, production reached 1 818 thousand tonnes, marking a modest 1.9% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 7.3%, which translates to a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 785 thousand tonnes, which also saw the steepest annual decline of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, beef and buffalo meat exports from the MENA region fell in 2020. Exports totaled 9 thousand tonnes that year, representing a sharp 39.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports still managed an overall increase of 4.1%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 1.3%. The peak export volume was achieved in 2019 at 14 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual surge occurring in 2018 at 54.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, beef and buffalo meat exports from the MENA region were distributed relatively evenly across various destinations. Afghanistan accounted for 2.1% of exports in kind, India for 2.0%, and Free Zones for 0.9%. Together, these three sources represented just 5.0% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market for beef and buffalo meat exports from MENA experienced significant fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. The lowest export value was recorded in 2017, while the highest came in 2019, creating an 11.1-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports amounted to 145 million US dollars, down 72.0% from the previous year. The peak value of 517 million US dollars was reached in 2019, which followed the largest annual increase of 243.7% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country composition of beef and buffalo meat exports from MENA in value terms was highly dispersed. India accounted for 1.8% of export value, Pakistan for 1.2%, and Free Zones for 0.9%. Combined, these three destinations represented only 3.9% of total export flows, with the remaining 96.1% spread across a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of expansion, beef and buffalo meat imports into the MENA region declined in 2020. Imports totaled 906 thousand tonnes that year, showing a substantial 22.8% year-over-year decrease. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 175 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 24.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil was the dominant source for beef and buffalo meat imports into MENA, accounting for 40.7% of imports in kind. India contributed 26.2%, and Pakistan 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented 72.0% of total import flows during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, beef and buffalo meat imports into the MENA region decreased in 2020. Imports registered 4 278 million US dollars that year, reflecting a 20.2% decline compared to the previous year. The peak import value was achieved in 2019 at 5 360 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 20.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for beef and buffalo meat imports into MENA in value terms were Brazil, accounting for 40.3% of import value, India at 19.9%, and Australia at 5.8%. These three countries together represented 66.0% of total import flows during this period.

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

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