Market research

Beef and buffalo meat market in Zambia

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The Zambian beef and buffalo meat market volume showed a clear upward trajectory from 2018 to 2023, expanding from 181.9 thousand tons to 231.7 thousand tons. This 27% overall growth occurred alongside considerable annual volatility, with domestic production being the dominant component as trade flows remained minimal.

After a slight increase in 2019, the market contracted in 2020 before recovering in 2021. Another dip followed in 2022, but a substantial 28.5% surge in 2023 drove the market to its peak volume for the period, marking the most significant single-year change.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Zambia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production beef and buffalo meat in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Zambia's production of beef and buffalo meat reached 177.8 thousand tonnes in 2020, representing a 4.6% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 13.1%. In contrast, 2019 saw a modest increase of 2.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.1%)	2.4%	(4.6%)	(5.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

Zambia's exports of beef and buffalo meat have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volumes stood at 173.4 tonnes, surging by 138.1% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports expanded dramatically by 16 456.6%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 449.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6 696.1%	2.3%	138.1%	449.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was overwhelmingly the primary buyer of Zambian beef and buffalo meat, accounting for 99.9% of total exports by volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Zambia's beef and buffalo meat exports have increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported $829.0 thousand worth of these products, up 149.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export values rose by 19 928.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 485.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	894.3%	707.2%	149.5%	485.1%

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017–2020 period, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was by far the leading destination for Zambian beef and buffalo meat exports in monetary terms, making up 99.9% of the total value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

The import market for beef and buffalo meat in Zambia showed considerable volatility over this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 5.8 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 124.6 tonnes, marking a 22-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports jumped by 360.1% compared to the previous year. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, with a 35.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, when imports soared by 367.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(35.4%)	367.4%	360.1%	140.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, India and South Africa were the key sources for Zambia's beef and buffalo meat imports by volume, together representing 81.1% of the total. The remaining share came from various other trading partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Zambia's imports of beef and buffalo meat have risen in value for the third year running. In 2020, the country imported $641.9 thousand worth of these products, a steep increase of 522.5% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, import values grew by 1 417.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 147.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.2%	141.0%	522.5%	147.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, the import market in value terms was dominated by India and South Africa, which combined for 81.6% of total flows. Other markets contributed the remainder, forming a long tail in the trade structure.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io