Beef and buffalo meat market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

The Senegalese beef and buffalo meat market grew steadily from 80 322 t in 2018 to 105 944 t in 2022. This expansion was supported by the introduction of the Livestock Market Information System (SIM-Bétail) in 2019, which enhanced market transparency and reduced transaction costs, improving overall market functioning. Political tensions in Mali that same year disrupted regional cattle supply, potentially incentivizing domestic production adjustments. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 contributed to broader food price increases, yet underlying demand for beef remained robust. Support from agricultural research institutions like ISRA and LNERV in 2021 helped bolster production efficiency. In 2022, the PRAPS-2 project modernized key livestock markets such as Bondji, strengthening trade infrastructure, while concurrently, rising consumer demand provided a direct impetus for market growth.

In 2023, the market volume experienced a modest decline to 102 098 t, primarily due to a decrease in domestic production, which was partly offset by rising imports. During this period, the government continued its infrastructure modernization drive with the inauguration of new livestock markets in Fatick and Kaolack under the PROVALE-CV project, aiming to further organize and strengthen the livestock sector.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Senegal

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

Senegal's beef and buffalo meat production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 87 490 tonnes, marking a steady 9.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 16.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Senegal in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed significant volatility during this period. Volumes hit their lowest point in 2020 at 13 tonnes, representing a sharp 96.0% drop from 2019. In contrast, exports peaked in 2018 at 402 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 267.7%. Overall, there was a dramatic 30-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal's beef and buffalo meat exports were heavily concentrated, with Bunkers accounting for 94.9% of the total volume shipped.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values followed an unstable pattern over these years. They reached their lowest point in 2020 at 110 thousand US dollars, an 80.9% decrease from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 827 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 99.4%. Overall, exports varied by 7.5 times between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bunkers dominated Senegal's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms, holding 79.9% of the total. The remaining share was distributed among numerous other countries, each with relatively small individual portions.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

Senegal's beef and buffalo meat imports reached 4 534 tonnes in 2020, showing a strong 12.9% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 23.5%, averaging 7.3% per year. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 6.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 16.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the leading source for Senegal's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume, supplying 79.4% of the total. The rest was spread across various other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Senegal's beef and buffalo meat imports totaled 7 437 thousand US dollars, a solid 11.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, import values rose by 10.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 651 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 2.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, India was the primary market for Senegal's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, accounting for 75.8% of the total. Other destinations made up the remainder, each contributing smaller shares.

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

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