Beef and buffalo meat market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Following the severe 2015-2016 drought, improved grazing conditions supported beef production, contributing to a market volume increase to 1 026 thousand tons in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and cattle movement, reducing the market volume to 1 007 thousand tons.

Outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) from 2021 onward constrained production and exports, leading to supply shortages and a drop in market volume to 983 thousand tons in 2022. By 2023, investments in breeding and infrastructure, alongside softer feed prices, aided a recovery, lifting the market volume to 1 005 thousand tons.

Persistently high feed costs and animal diseases kept pressure on prices, shifting some consumer preference toward more affordable proteins like poultry. The opening of new export markets, such as Saudi Arabia, provided growth opportunities despite ongoing FMD challenges.

Production beef and buffalo meat in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, South Africa ranked as the 14th largest producer of beef and buffalo meat globally.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

South Africa's beef and buffalo meat production grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 1 053 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.1% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, overall production rose by 5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the value of beef and buffalo meat output in South Africa reached 5 459 million US dollars, a significant 23.6% jump compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value increased by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 4 418 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, South Africa exported 31 816 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, a sharp 13.0% decrease from the year before. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 5.3%, averaging 1.7% per year. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 24 481 tonnes, with the largest drop of 19.0% occurring that year. Exports peaked in 2020 at 36 573 tonnes, showing the biggest increase of 49.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, South Africa's beef and buffalo meat exports were distributed across various countries without a single dominant partner. China accounted for 27.5% of exports by volume, Kuwait for 12.7%, and Mozambique for 9.6%, together making up 49.9% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

South Africa's beef and buffalo meat export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 164.9 million US dollars, up 6.3% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value rose by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 113.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 18.8%. The highest increase occurred in 2020 at 36.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, China, Kuwait, and Jordan were the key export partners for South Africa's beef and buffalo meat in value terms. China represented 24.0% of export value, Kuwait 16.1%, and Jordan 11.3%, together accounting for 51.4% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports beef and buffalo meat to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. Imports hit their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 5.7-fold difference between these years. In 2021, South Africa imported 4 265 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, a sharp 72.8% increase year-over-year. The minimum volume was in 2020 at 2 469 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 82.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Botswana, Namibia, and Brazil were the top suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to South Africa by volume. Botswana accounted for 42.7% of imports, Namibia for 31.3%, and Brazil for 9.9%, together making up 83.9% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. Imports reached their lowest in 2020 and their highest in 2018, varying by a factor of six. In 2021, South Africa's beef and buffalo meat imports were valued at 11.4 million US dollars, a 75.2% rise compared to 2020. The minimum value was in 2020 at 6.5 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest decline of 79.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Botswana, Namibia, and Brazil led as the main sources of beef and buffalo meat imports to South Africa in value terms. Botswana represented 44.7% of import value, Namibia 31.4%, and Brazil 10.3%, together accounting for 86.3% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021