Beef and buffalo meat market in Northern Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the beef and buffalo meat market in Northern Africa reached 1 950 thousand tons, partly supported by strong regional demand within a broader surge in Asian consumption. The market then contracted over the next two years. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly disrupted supply chains and consumption patterns, with increased at-home consumption not fully offsetting the loss from restaurant closures, contributing to a drop in market volume to 1 760 thousand tons.

The implementation of strict 'zero-covid' policies and lockdowns in major North African cities in 2021, coupled with a grain crisis, made demand forecasting difficult. Soaring input prices for energy and animal feed raised production costs, while high inflation led to a reported 20% drop in household beef consumption volumes. These pressures kept the market size down to 1 686 thousand tons despite a modest production recovery. In 2022, although global beef production increased, persistent inflation continued to constrain consumer purchasing power, stabilizing the regional market at 1 684 thousand tons amidst a growing consumer shift towards processed meat and out-of-home dining.

By 2023, an increased global supply of beef from exporters like Australia and Argentina eased worldwide market conditions. However, in Northern Africa, the market volume fell further to 1 520 thousand tons, likely reflecting ongoing economic pressures. A rise in imports to 265 thousand tons in 2024 points to a partial recovery, facilitated by greater availability of imported meat even as Asian demand growth slowed in some countries.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Northern Africa

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

Beef and buffalo meat production in Northern Africa has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 457 thousand tonnes, marking a controlled year-over-year decrease of 3.9%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 3.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 659 thousand tonnes, with a modest increase of 1.3% that year. However, the most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production decreased by 8.6%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, Northern Africa's beef and buffalo meat exports rebounded in 2020. Export volumes reached 9.4 thousand tonnes, showing a strong increase of 22.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall decreased by 21.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 7.7 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 28.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical distribution of Northern Africa's beef and buffalo meat exports was highly diversified. The top three destinations—the United Arab Emirates (10.2% of export volume), Qatar (8.3%), and Kuwait (8.0%)—collectively accounted for just 26.5% of total exports. The remaining 73.5% was spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of beef and buffalo meat exports from Northern Africa rose to 50 million US dollars, up 26.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 40 million US dollars, which saw a decline of 16.1% that year.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the geographical structure of Northern Africa's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United Arab Emirates (13.0% of export value), Qatar (10.1%), and Kuwait (9.5%) together made up only 32.6% of total export flows. The remaining 67.4% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, beef and buffalo meat imports into Northern Africa declined in 2020. Import volumes stood at 312.3 thousand tonnes, down 15.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 370.5 thousand tonnes, which saw a significant increase of 24.0% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and India remained the primary suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Northern Africa, together accounting for 88.2% of total import volume. The remaining 11.8% was fragmented across other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of gains, beef and buffalo meat imports into Northern Africa declined in 2020. Import value totaled 1 493 million US dollars, reflecting a strong decrease of 14.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 16.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 740 million US dollars, which experienced an increase of 20.6% that year.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Brazil and India jointly accounted for 88.4% of the total value of beef and buffalo meat imports into Northern Africa. The rest of the import value was scattered across smaller markets.

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

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