Beef and buffalo meat market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

Uganda's beef and buffalo meat market volume fell to 195.0 thousand tons in 2019 from 216.8 thousand tons the previous year. This decline was driven by severe supply-side constraints, including government-imposed quarantines in the Ankole cattle corridor that restricted animal movement to Kampala abattoirs, repeated droughts that reduced herd sizes, and ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks that prompted movement bans. Increased live cattle exports to neighboring countries further tightened local availability.

Market volume recovered to 215.7 thousand tons in 2020 and grew steadily to a peak of 230.5 thousand tons by 2022. This expansion coincided with the launch of the EU-funded MOBIP project, which introduced new standards and technical assistance for processing facilities, and increased policy emphasis on beef production under Uganda's third National Development Plan.

In 2023, market volume eased slightly to 224.9 thousand tons. Persistent high fuel and animal-feed costs kept retail beef prices elevated, likely dampening consumer demand. During the same period, Uganda began exporting value-added beef to Egypt, spurring attention to export-oriented processing and quality standards.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Uganda

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

Uganda produced 216.0 thousand tons of beef and buffalo meat in 2020, marking a 10.8% increase from 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 195.0 thousand tons, while the peak was recorded in 2018 at 217.1 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 10.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.2%, averaging an annualized rate of 0.7%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

Uganda's beef and buffalo meat export volumes experienced notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 45.0 tons, with the highest in 2018 at 276.2 tons, representing a 6.1-fold difference. In 2020, exports stood at 263.6 tons, a substantial 485.6% increase year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 83.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Hong Kong were the primary destinations for Uganda's beef and buffalo meat exports in kind. Vietnam accounted for 62.4% of exports, the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 13.9%, and Hong Kong for 7.5%, together making up 83.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Beef and buffalo meat export values in Uganda showed volatility over the observed years. The minimum was recorded in 2019 at 146.2 thousand US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2018 at 814.2 thousand US dollars, a 5.6-fold amplitude. In 2020, exports reached 538.4 thousand US dollars, a sharp 268.2% rise compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 82.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Egypt formed the main cluster of markets for Uganda's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms. Vietnam held a 46.3% share, the Democratic Republic of the Congo 29.0%, and Egypt 9.4%, collectively accounting for 84.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

Uganda's beef and buffalo meat imports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, with 1.3 tons imported, a 47.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 91.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 55.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, China, and the United Arab Emirates were the principal suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Uganda in kind. Saudi Arabia contributed 37.8% of imports, China 35.7%, and the United Arab Emirates 11.5%, together accounting for 85.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Uganda's beef and buffalo meat import values declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, recorded at 2.1 thousand US dollars, down 77.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 97%, with a compound annual growth rate of 68.9%.

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

In 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia remained the key source for beef and buffalo meat imports to Uganda in value terms, accounting for 75.5% of total imports, while other destinations played a much smaller role.

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

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