Beef and buffalo meat market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The West African beef and buffalo meat market expanded from 849 thousand tons in 2018 to 914 thousand tons in 2019, driven by rising demand linked to ongoing urbanization and higher disposable incomes. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when market volume dipped to 898 thousand tons, primarily due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recovery began in 2021, with market volume reaching 901 thousand tons, supported by significant investments in processing infrastructure that aimed to boost local production capacity. The momentum accelerated in 2022, as global demand for lean and nutritious meat options strengthened the position of buffalo meat. This, coupled with expanding international joint ventures, helped push the market to 948 thousand tons, with imports surging to 38 thousand tons to meet consumption needs.

Growth continued at a more moderate pace in 2023, with the market reaching 962 thousand tons, while production kept rising steadily. Preliminary data for 2024 indicates sustained import levels, suggesting that domestic output and foreign supplies together maintain market expansion.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Western Africa

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

Western Africa's beef and buffalo meat production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 897.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 7.2% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, production fell to 877.2 thousand tonnes, a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 7.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for beef and buffalo meat in Western Africa showed significant volatility during these years. In 2018, exports peaked at 647 tonnes, representing a 68.6% increase. By 2020, exports had dropped sharply to 95 tonnes, an 81.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 6.8 from the high in 2018 to the low in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest contributors to exports in kind were Bunkers, accounting for 49.7% of exports, Vietnam with 11.7%, and Myanmar at 3.4%. Together, these three sources made up 64.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Western Africa's beef and buffalo meat exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports reached their highest value at 1 349 thousand US dollars, with a 14.0% increase. By 2020, exports had fallen to 466 thousand US dollars, a 58.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 60.6%, with an average annual decline of 26.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was relatively balanced. Bunkers accounted for 37.5% of exports, Vietnam for 4.7%, and Spain for 1.1%, together representing 43.2% of total flows. The remaining 56.8% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Imports of beef and buffalo meat into Western Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 20 680 tonnes, a significant rise of 25.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 98.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 25.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the biggest contributors to imports in kind were India, with 26.3% of imports, the Netherlands at 16.3%, and Belgium with 9.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 52.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Beef and buffalo meat deliveries to Western Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 32 709 thousand US dollars, a substantial advance of 23.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 61.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Western Africa in value terms were India, accounting for 25.4% of imports, the Netherlands with 16.5%, and Brazil at 11.1%. Together, these three countries formed 53.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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