Beef and buffalo meat market in Vanuatu

Earlier Report Observations

Vanuatu's beef and buffalo meat market opened the period at 1 793 t in 2018, supported by the country's large cattle herd in the Pacific and government provision of three additional dedicated farming sites to boost production. The market grew to 1 843 t in 2019, aided by continued state backing for cattle farming expansion and the central role of Vanuatu Abattoirs Limited (VAL) in processing. However, volume contracted to 1 596 t in 2020, a year when VAL obtained ISO and HACCP certification, enhancing its ability to serve international export markets.

Market volume rebounded sharply to 1 907 t in 2021, driven by the September launch of the 'One Country One Priority Product' initiative, which focused on optimizing sustainable livestock production and marketing. This growth was reversed in 2022, with the market falling to 1 608 t, despite ongoing industry efforts to improve cattle production capacity and maintain animal health standards for exports.

A recovery followed in 2023, lifting the market to 1 911 t. During this year, Vanuatu Abattoirs Limited continued operating to international standards, supporting export activity, while trade agreements within the Melanesian Spearhead Group influenced regional market access for beef products.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Vanuatu

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

In 2020, Vanuatu produced 1 743 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, marking a 10.6% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 24.7%, which translates to an annualized decline of 9.0%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with an 18.4% decrease, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 3.2%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Vanuatu

Exports in kind, t

Vanuatu's beef and buffalo meat exports grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 157.5 tonnes—a 16.7% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 35.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 115.1 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 53.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 17.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan and Solomon Islands dominated Vanuatu's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume, jointly accounting for 93.0% of the total. Other countries contributed to a more diversified but less significant portion of exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Vanuatu's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms rebounded in 2020, totaling 936 thousand US dollars—a 12.3% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value fell by 58.8%, with a CAGR of -25.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 834 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 44.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Papua New Guinea and Japan were the primary destinations for Vanuatu's beef and buffalo meat exports in value, jointly representing 100.0% of total flows. Other partners played a much smaller role individually.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Vanuatu

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Vanuatu's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume declined in 2020, amounting to 10.1 tonnes—a sharp 65.4% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.4%, with a CAGR of -4.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 29.0 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 63.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and New Zealand were the main sources for Vanuatu's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume, jointly accounting for 83.6% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Vanuatu's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms showed notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. Imports peaked in 2019 at 225 thousand US dollars and fell to a low of 71 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a 3.2-fold decrease. The 2020 value marked a sharp 68.7% drop from 2019, with the largest increase recorded in 2019 at 75.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia and New Zealand dominated Vanuatu's beef and buffalo meat imports in value, jointly taking 87.7% of total flows. Other markets accounted for the remaining share.

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

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