Market research

Beef and buffalo meat market in Timor-Leste

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the beef and buffalo meat market in Timor-Leste expanded from 2 131 t to 2 522 t. This growth was primarily driven by the government's initiative to establish three Animal Production Centers in Manufahi, Oe-cussi Ambeno, and Lautém districts, aimed at boosting livestock farming and meat production. Additionally, the implementation of good agricultural practices with support from international agencies like USAID and IPAD facilitated access to inputs, further enhancing domestic output.

In 2020, market volume declined to 2 084 t following the publication of new regulations for slaughterhouse installation, operation, and licensing, which improved hygiene standards but temporarily affected production capacity. The downturn continued into 2021, with the market reaching 1 939 t.

The market recovered thereafter, rising to 2 032 t in 2022 and 2 254 t in 2023. This rebound was supported by the inauguration of integrated border posts and traditional markets, which streamlined trade and distribution. Furthermore, culinary training programs by NGO Pro-Ema promoted the value of local agro-food products, including beef and buffalo meat, stimulating consumption.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Timor-Leste
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Timor-Leste in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Timor-Leste in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Timor-Leste, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Timor-Leste, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Trade balance
1. 7.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 7.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 7.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 7.2.2. In value, K $ US
8. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 8.1. Direct Data
  1. 8.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 8.2. Mirror Data
  1. 8.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production beef and buffalo meat in Timor-Leste

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Timor-Leste's beef and buffalo meat production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 2 429 tonnes, marking an 18.5% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 2 060 tonnes, representing a 15.2% decrease compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Timor-Leste in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.7%	18.5%	(15.2%)	0.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Timor-Leste

Market data shows that Timor-Leste did not export any beef and buffalo meat from 2017 through 2020.

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Timor-Leste

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 at 24.4 tonnes, which was a 73.9% year-over-year decline. In contrast, volumes peaked in 2017, with the difference between the highest and lowest volumes being 7.7 times. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 14.4% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(56.3%)	14.4%	(73.9%)	(49.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands were the primary sources of beef and buffalo meat imports for Timor-Leste. Together, they accounted for 82.7% of total imports in kind, with New Zealand leading at 63.2%, followed by Australia at 11.6%, and the Netherlands at 7.9%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of beef and buffalo meat imports into Timor-Leste declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value stood at 139.4 thousand US dollars, down 33.7% from 2019. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 76.6%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 38.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(30.1%)	(49.6%)	(33.7%)	(38.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand dominated the import market in value terms, accounting for 71.5% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io