Beef and buffalo meat market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian beef and buffalo meat market volume showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. It opened the period at 55 318 t in 2018, then contracted to 49 187 t the following year. A partial recovery to 50 838 t occurred in 2020, before the market settled at around 50 062 t in 2021.

A significant shift occurred in 2022 as the market volume expanded to 52 359 t. This growth was supported by a crisis in the poultry sector that began in late 2021, making red meat a more attractive alternative for consumers and boosting demand. The trend reversed in 2023, with the market volume falling to 48 141 t. This decline was driven by persistent financial losses for cattle farmers that started in 2020, which limited herd productivity and domestic output. Concurrently, consumers increasingly substituted red meat with poultry, further reducing consumption.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

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

Tunisia's beef and buffalo meat production rebounded after two consecutive years of decline. In 2020, the country produced 49 400 tonnes, marking a significant 10.5% year-over-year increase. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production actually decreased by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 44 700 tonnes, which also saw the steepest decline of 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market structure was extremely concentrated, with Qatar accounting for 100.0% of all exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Tunisia's beef and buffalo meat exports were almost exclusively directed to Qatar, which represented 100.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 1 438 tonnes, which represented a 68.0% decrease from the previous year. The peak occurred in 2019 with 4 487 tonnes, creating a 3.1-fold difference between these two years. The most substantial growth was recorded in 2018 at 111.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil and France dominated Tunisia's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume terms, together accounting for 88.3% of total flows. The remaining 11.7% was distributed among various other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance displayed significant fluctuations during this period. Imports hit their lowest level in 2020 at 6 253 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 65.3% decline from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 17 997 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 2.9-fold difference between these two years. The strongest growth occurred in 2018 with a 109.0% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Brazil collectively represented 89.1% of Tunisia's total beef and buffalo meat import value. Other countries contributed to a more diversified but less substantial portion of imports.

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

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