Beef and buffalo meat market in Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Pakistan's beef and buffalo meat production increased from 2.1 million tons to 2.4 million tons. The domestic market volume followed a similar upward trend, growing over this period despite a temporary contraction in 2021. A key factor influencing the market in 2018 was an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle and buffalo herds. This disease restricted Pakistan's access to major global meat export markets, which often only import from FMD-free countries, likely channeling more supply toward the domestic market and supporting its volume growth.

In value terms, the market displayed a different pattern, reaching a peak of $10 billion in 2022 before declining to $9 billion in 2023. The production value also peaked in 2022 at over $10.3 billion. This volatility in monetary value, contrasted with steady physical growth, suggests significant shifts in meat prices, input costs, or export unit values over the years, with the post-2022 dip reflecting a market correction.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Pakistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan ranked as the world's seventh-largest producer of beef and buffalo meat.

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 Pakistan grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 2 297 thousand tonnes, showing a steady increase of 3.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 10.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Pakistan's beef and buffalo meat production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 8 138 million US dollars, down 3.5% year-on-year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 436 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Pakistan in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Pakistan

Exports in kind, t

Pakistan's beef and buffalo meat exports expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 69 062 tonnes, reflecting a 14.7% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 64.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 18.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (43.8% of exports in volume), Kuwait (15.4%), and Saudi Arabia (14.9%) were the top destinations for Pakistan's beef and buffalo meat exports, collectively accounting for 74.1% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Pakistan's beef and buffalo meat export value rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 244.7 million US dollars, up 7.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 49.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates (43.9% of exports by value), Kuwait (16.2%), and Saudi Arabia (15.4%) formed the key group of partners for Pakistan's beef and buffalo meat exports, jointly representing 75.4% of total value.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Pakistan

Imports in kind, t

Beef and buffalo meat imports into Pakistan fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 269 tonnes, a sharp decline of 50.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 48.6%, with an average annual decrease of 19.9%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 774 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 47.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (44.1% of imports in volume), the United Arab Emirates (28.3%), and Malaysia (12.6%) were the main sources for beef and buffalo meat imports into Pakistan, together making up 85.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Pakistan's beef and buffalo meat import value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1.2 million US dollars, marking a steep drop of 36.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 54.2%, with an average annual decline of 22.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 3.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 18.8%, while the largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 39.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, India (43.2% of imports by value), the United Arab Emirates (30.6%), and Malaysia (16.9%) played leading roles in beef and buffalo meat imports into Pakistan, jointly accounting for 90.7% of total value.

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

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