Beef and buffalo meat market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the beef and buffalo meat market in Myanmar grew steadily from 126.8 thousand tons to 136.2 thousand tons. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 prompted increased food purchases and stockpiling, supporting market expansion. Reports also indicated a rise in online wildlife trade, reflecting broader shifts in meat distribution channels during the period.

The market continued to rise, peaking at 139.7 thousand tons in 2022. The third wave of COVID-19 in 2021 further altered consumption patterns, while the military coup in early 2021 led to inflation and higher transport costs. New business policies implemented in response helped maintain production, supporting market growth. In 2023, the market experienced a slight decline to 138.1 thousand tons, marking a stabilization after several years of expansion.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Myanmar

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

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 128.7 thousand tons, then peaked in 2017 with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Myanmar produced 135.0 thousand tons of beef and buffalo meat, showing a slight increase of 2.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 71.1%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.6%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their highest level in 2018 at 1 971 tons, then dropped to their lowest in 2020 with a 57-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Myanmar exported 35 tons of beef and buffalo meat, representing an 85.9% decrease compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 87.6%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 13.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind were heavily concentrated on China, which accounted for 97.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Export value reached its highest point in 2018 at 9 017 thousand US dollars, then fell to its lowest in 2020 with a 54-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Myanmar's beef and buffalo meat exports stood at 166 thousand US dollars, indicating a decrease of 64.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 94.9%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 50.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China dominated the geographical structure of exports in value terms for beef and buffalo meat from Myanmar, accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

Noticeable fluctuations marked market performance during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 69 tons, then peaked in 2019 with a 33-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Myanmar imported 1 254 tons of beef and buffalo meat, showing an abrupt decrease of 44.4% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3 181.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the key destination for beef and buffalo meat imports to Myanmar, accounting for 88.6% of total imports in kind, while other destinations were much less significant.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import value reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2019 with an 8.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Myanmar imported 3 505 thousand US dollars worth of beef and buffalo meat, down by 39.8% compared with 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 818 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring that same year at 713.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, India and Australia remained the key partner countries for imports in value terms, with a combined share of 90.4% of total flows; other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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