Beef and buffalo meat market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The Saudi Arabian beef and buffalo meat market expanded significantly from 2018 to 2022, with market volume growing from 109.0 thousand tons to 176.2 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by a sharp increase in imports, which rose from 76.3 thousand tons to 136.7 thousand tons over the same period, while domestic production saw a more modest rise from 36.0 to 42.0 thousand tons.

In 2023, the market contracted to 150.5 thousand tons as imports fell to 113.8 thousand tons. Production remained stable at 42.0 thousand tons. The following year, 2024, saw a surge in imports to 195.9 thousand tons, coinciding with the introduction of new Gulf standardization requirements for beef and buffalo meat. These regulations, including GSO 996:2016, established stricter rules for transportation, storage, packaging, and quality compliance for imported fresh and frozen meat.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Saudi Arabia

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

Saudi Arabia's beef and buffalo meat production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 40 000 tonnes, marking a 5.3% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 17.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Import levels varied widely, with a 2.3-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Saudi Arabia's beef and buffalo meat export volume was 4.2 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 42.9% from 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3.3 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 7.4 thousand tonnes. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 125.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, India, and Bahrain remained the primary buyers of beef and buffalo meat from Saudi Arabia. The UAE accounted for 41.5% of exports in kind, India for 16.7%, and Bahrain for 10.4%. Together, these three countries made up 68.5% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their highest point in 2019 and fell to their lowest in 2017, showing a 2.5-fold variation. In 2020, beef and buffalo meat exports from Saudi Arabia totaled 20.7 million US dollars, down by 27.2% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 28.4 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 75.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, India, and Bahrain continued to be the key partners in terms of export value. The UAE represented 40.0% of exports in value terms, India 15.5%, and Bahrain 9.2%. Collectively, they accounted for 64.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

Saudi Arabia's beef and buffalo meat imports have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country imported a total of value_last_year thousand tonnes, which is 31.0% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 76.3 thousand tonnes, and the largest decline occurred that year at 22.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for beef and buffalo meat imports to Saudi Arabia were Brazil, India, and Australia. Brazil contributed 35.9% of imports in kind, India 28.5%, and Australia 14.0%. These three countries together represented 78.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Saudi Arabia's beef and buffalo meat import volume has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 541.1 million US dollars worth of beef and buffalo meat, reflecting a solid growth of 12.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 22.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 417.6 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 5.3%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, India, and Australia were the leading destinations for beef and buffalo meat imports to Saudi Arabia in value terms. Brazil accounted for 33.9% of imports in value terms, India for 24.1%, and Australia for 17.7%. Combined, they made up 75.7% of total import flows.

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

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