Beef and buffalo meat market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the beef and buffalo meat market in Sudan maintained stable volumes, fluctuating around 380 thousand tons annually. This stability was underpinned by the country's vast livestock potential, with a herd estimated at around 140 million heads. However, the market value began to rise in 2020, influenced by higher global beef prices resulting from a slowed harvest in Brazil, which put upward pressure on local prices.

Market volume contracted significantly to 362 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 351.7 thousand tons in 2022. This decline coincided with the onset of war in Sudan, which caused substantial damage to the livestock sector and disrupted the broader economy. During this period, the government identified animal wealth as a key lever for economic recovery, initiating projects for organic meat production and quality certification to access new export markets. Simultaneously, severe domestic inflation and currency depreciation led to sharp increases in retail meat prices, altering market dynamics.

A partial recovery occurred in 2023, with market volume increasing to 358.7 thousand tons, while the market value surged by 22% to 2.6 billion US dollars, reflecting persistent inflationary pressures. The growth in domestic volume was facilitated by a sharp drop in exports, making more meat available locally. However, the sector continued to face long-term challenges, including recurrent droughts over past decades that have strained feed and pasture availability, affecting livestock productivity.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Sudan

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

Sudan's beef and buffalo meat production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 389.5 K t, which remained broadly stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.9%, representing a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Sudan's beef and buffalo meat exports increased in 2020. The country exported 8 701 t, marking a solid gain of 21.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 20.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 157 t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 23.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar were the largest buyers of beef and buffalo meat from Sudan. Egypt accounted for 69.6% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 9.9%, and Qatar for 8.6%. Together, these three countries formed 88.1% of Sudan's total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sudan's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms reached 47 484 K $ US in 2020, up by 24.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 38 162 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in the same year with a drop of 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar remained the principal buyers of beef and buffalo meat from Sudan in value terms. Egypt accounted for 60.8% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 13.0%, and Qatar for 10.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 84.2% of Sudan's total exports in value during this period.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Sudan

Imports in kind, t

Sudan's beef and buffalo meat imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 290 t, which is 1.7% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 281 t, and the largest decline occurred in the same year with a drop of 18.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates consistently remained the main sources for Sudan's beef and buffalo meat imports in kind. Italy accounted for 43.2% of imports, South Africa for 20.5%, and the United Arab Emirates for 6.5%. Together, these three countries represented 70.2% of total import flows during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sudan's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 1 571 K $ US, amounting to a small gain of 1.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 248 K $ US, with the largest decline occurring in the same year at 26.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a rise of 23.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates together accounted for 73.9% of Sudan's total beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms. Italy represented 47.0% of imports, South Africa 20.1%, and the United Arab Emirates 6.8%. These three countries remained the main destinations for imports to Sudan during this period.

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

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