Beef and buffalo meat market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Western Asia grew steadily in volume from 2.5 million tons in 2018 to 3.1 million tons in 2023. The most significant expansion occurred in 2021, when market volume jumped by over 9% to 2.9 million tons, followed by continued moderate growth.

In value terms, the market experienced a temporary decline to $10.6 billion in 2019 before surging to $18.1 billion by 2023. The sharpest increases of more than 20% annually took place in 2021 and 2022, reflecting strong market momentum.

By 2024, industry developments included new strategic partnerships aimed at improving production efficiency and reducing emissions, such as Buffalo Meat Company's collaboration with GreenTech Solutions. Consumer preferences shifted toward healthier, organic, and ethically sourced meat, while stricter international labeling regulations in key export markets influenced industry practices.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Western Asia

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 Asia's beef and buffalo meat production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 080 K t of beef and buffalo meat, marking a 1.5% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 17.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Western Asia's beef and buffalo meat production rebounded in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 8 690 M $ US, up by 8.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 983 M $ US, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 7.9% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 13.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Asia exported 38.8 K t of beef and buffalo meat, representing a sharp decline of 71.6% from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 136.6 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 306.1% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran dominated exports in kind, accounting for 70.2% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 10.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, beef and buffalo meat exports from Western Asia reached 162 M $ US, down by 69.6% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 532 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 240.8% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, three key markets—Iran, India, and Pakistan—collectively accounted for 70.3% of the total export value of beef and buffalo meat from Western Asia.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, beef and buffalo meat imports into Western Asia declined. In 2020, imports reached 584.2 K t, down by 15.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 9.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 693.2 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 15.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (27.8% of imports in kind), Brazil (25.3% of imports in kind), and Pakistan (8.1% of imports in kind) emerged as the main sources for imports in kind, together representing 61.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year uptick, Western Asia's beef and buffalo meat imports declined in value. In 2020, the region imported approximately 2 765 M $ US of beef and buffalo meat, reflecting an 11.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 128 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 14.0% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil (24.2% of imports in value terms), India (17.9% of imports in value terms), and Australia (9.1% of imports in value terms) remained the primary markets for imports in value terms of beef and buffalo meat to Western Asia, jointly accounting for 51.3% of total flows.

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

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