Beef and buffalo meat market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market volume in Sub-Saharan Africa grew from 5 247 thousand tons in 2018 to 5 908 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion occurred despite a brief stabilization in 2020, when volume settled at 5 440 thousand tons. The market's underlying strength has been supported by a diverse range of players across the production, processing, and distribution chain, a characteristic noted early in the period. A longer-term driver is the ongoing dietary transition across the region, marked by rapid urbanization and rising incomes, which has significantly boosted meat consumption.

In value terms, the market experienced considerable volatility, falling from $38 545 million in 2018 to $25 704 million in 2020 before recovering to $36 417 million by 2023. These swings largely reflected fluctuations in global beef prices, influenced by worldwide supply-demand imbalances and rising production costs in major exporting regions, which affected import costs and local market values across Africa.

By 2024, continued growth in demand, particularly within West African countries like Côte d'Ivoire, and a well-supplied global market with abundant South American and Australian meat, were shaping trade patterns. This was evidenced by rising import volumes to 82 thousand tons and increased exports of 66 thousand tons that year.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Sub-Saharan 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 Sub-Saharan Africa declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 5 489 thousand tonnes, but then fell by 1.0% to 5 432 thousand tonnes in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 7.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 5.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat production in Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, production value peaked at 38 580 million US dollars, but then dropped by 24.4% in 2019 and further decreased by 11.6% to 25 762 million US dollars in 2020. From 2017 to 2020, the overall decline was 17.9%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 6.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a 23.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Beef and buffalo meat exports from Sub-Saharan Africa fell for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 39.8 thousand tonnes, then increased by 14.5% in 2019, before declining by 6.9% to 42.4 thousand tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 15.9% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, beef and buffalo meat exports from Sub-Saharan Africa were distributed across numerous countries. China accounted for 12.7% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 8.7%, and the Netherlands for 7.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 28.9% of total export flows, indicating a diverse market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat exports from Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, export value reached its highest level at 294.1 million US dollars, then fell by 17.8% in 2019, and further decreased by 16.8% to 201.2 million US dollars in 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 31.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 11.8%. The largest increase was a modest 0.4% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading buyers of beef and buffalo meat from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms were China with 11.8% of exports, the Netherlands with 9.9%, and the United Kingdom with 9.8%. However, their combined share was just 31.5% of total export value, reflecting a highly diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Beef and buffalo meat imports into Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 51.0 thousand tonnes, which represents a 22.5% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 55.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 23.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for beef and buffalo meat imports into Sub-Saharan Africa in kind were India with 29.0% of imports, Brazil with 19.7%, and Italy with 3.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 51.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat imports into Sub-Saharan Africa fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 143.0 million US dollars, marking a 32.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 51.4%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 21.4%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the country breakdown of beef and buffalo meat imports into Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms was scattered. India accounted for 25.4% of imports, Brazil for 17.0%, and Australia for 4.9%. Combined, these three countries represented just 47.3% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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