Beef and buffalo meat market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Tanzania's beef and buffalo meat production embarked on a steady growth path, rising from 471.7 thousand tonnes to 613 thousand tonnes by 2023. This expansion was initially propelled by a government-led revival program for the livestock sector, which included restructuring state-owned ranches like NARCO and DAFCO to boost meat output. In 2019, the allocation of land plots to investors in areas such as Kikulula for dedicated livestock farming, coupled with plans to improve cattle quality for export, provided further impetus for production increases.

The establishment of cattle feedlots and meat processing plants in districts like Igunga from 2020 onward directly enhanced domestic processing capacity, supporting the continued market growth. A significant surge in production occurred in 2023, facilitated by official government actions to address challenges and secure better access for Tanzanian meat in foreign export markets. Throughout the period, these infrastructural and market-access initiatives were primary drivers behind the rising volume.

Regulatory frameworks evolved to support the growing industry, culminating in 2024 with the passage of the Livestock Regulation and Management By-Law for Dar es Salaam, which set rules for meat inspection, slaughterhouse fees, and market operations. Concurrent ongoing development of feedlot centers and processing infrastructure laid a foundation for sustained sector development.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Tanzania ranked as the 29th largest producer of beef and buffalo meat between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Tanzania's beef and buffalo meat production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 508.4 thousand tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 28.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.8%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest level was recorded in 2019 at 29 tonnes, while the highest was in 2017, creating a 40-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports reached 98 tonnes, representing a substantial increase of 237.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 90.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong (53.0% of export volume), Vietnam (25.2%), and Iraq (11.5%) were the main destinations for Tanzania's beef and buffalo meat exports, together accounting for 89.7% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values displayed an unstable pattern throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 35 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2017, resulting in a 95-fold gap between these years. In 2020, export value reached 146 thousand US dollars, marking a 320.0% increase year-over-year. The most significant decline took place in 2019, when export value dropped by 93.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hong Kong (55.1% of export value), Iraq (21.9%), and Vietnam (11.9%) remained the key export markets for Tanzania's beef and buffalo meat in value terms, collectively representing 88.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

Tanzania's beef and buffalo meat imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 149 tonnes, down 32.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 74%, with an average annual decline of 36.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the primary supplier of beef and buffalo meat to Tanzania, accounting for 85.4% of total import volume, while a diverse group of other countries made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Tanzania's beef and buffalo meat imports fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value reached 498 thousand US dollars, representing a 64.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value dropped by 77.1%, with an average annual decline of 38.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Kenya and South Africa were the main sources of Tanzania's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, together accounting for 99.2% of total import value.

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

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