Market research

Beef and buffalo meat market in Zimbabwe

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

Earlier Report Observations

Zimbabwe's beef and buffalo meat production increased from 616.5 тыс. т in 2018 to 628.7 тыс. т in 2020, with growth accelerating thereafter. The initial rise was supported by the introduction of an auction system for cattle in September 2018, which spurred a 183% increase in cattle prices and incentivized market participation. Concurrently, the recovery of the stockfeeds industry, aided by government-subsidized maize prices, improved feed availability. In 2019, the suspension of mechanically deboned meat imports from Brazil due to contamination scandals reduced import competition and bolstered local meat demand. However, foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks and stringent EU export requirements in 2020 tempered expansion, leading to stabilized output.

Production surged to 700.0 тыс. т in 2021 and continued growing to 744.1 тыс. т in 2023. A key driver in 2021 was the revision of the beef carcass classification and grading system, which removed biases against smaller indigenous cattle breeds and broadened the slaughter base. In subsequent years, despite high input costs, the industry focused on holistic rangeland management, genetics, and nutrition to enhance production efficiency. The emergence of new protein segments like rabbit meat reflected broader market diversification, though beef remained the primary growth area.

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 Zimbabwe
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Zimbabwe in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Zimbabwe 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. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zimbabwe, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zimbabwe, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zimbabwe, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zimbabwe, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zimbabwe by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, kg
  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 Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Zimbabwe ranked as the 21st largest producer of beef and buffalo meat from 2017 to 2020.

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

Following two years of growth, beef and buffalo meat production in Zimbabwe experienced a decline. In 2020, production reached 628.7 thousand tonnes, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019 on a year-over-year basis. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production increased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 629.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.1%	2.1%	(0.1%)	1.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, kg

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe's beef and buffalo meat exports were almost entirely directed to Vietnam, which accounted for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017-2020 period, Zimbabwe's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms were almost exclusively linked to Vietnam, representing 100.0% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, kg

The import market demonstrated volatility throughout the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 228 kilograms, marking a sharp 90.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The peak occurred in 2017, creating a 432-fold difference between these years. The most significant decline was recorded in 2018 at 98.1%, while 2019 saw the largest increase of 21.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(98.1%)	21.8%	(90.0%)	(86.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa served as the nearly exclusive source of beef and buffalo meat imports to Zimbabwe, comprising 100.0% of total imports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Zimbabwe's beef and buffalo meat imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 3.2 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 86.6% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 99.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 79.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(91.9%)	(14.2%)	(86.6%)	(79.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017-2020 period, South Africa maintained its position as the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of beef and buffalo meat to Zimbabwe, accounting for 100.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io