Camel meat and offal market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the camel meat market in Southern Asia expanded from 16 709 t to 17 153 t in volume. This initial growth was supported by India's established export framework for meat, which included specific quality and safety standards for chilled and frozen products like camel meat under HS Code 0208. The market also benefited from price-inelastic demand for camel meat in certain regions and broader trends of rising incomes and urbanization, which increased overall meat consumption. In 2019, the rise of the frozen meat segment, driven by lifestyle changes, demand for ready-to-eat foods, and the expansion of retail stores with better refrigeration, provided additional momentum specifically for frozen camel meat products.

Market volume contracted to 15 397 t in 2020 before recovering to 16 803 t in 2021. The subsequent period through 2022 saw relative stability, with volume at 16 336 t.

A significant expansion occurred in 2023, with market volume reaching 18 730 t. This surge aligned with sustained drivers in the broader Indian meat sector, including ongoing shifts in dietary preferences, greater nutritional awareness, influence from international cuisines, and consistent demand for convenient and processed meat products, which continued to support consumption patterns.

Production camel meat and offal in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of camel meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of camel meat and offal, 2017-2020

In 2020, Southern Asia produced 16 041 tonnes of camel meat and offal, representing an 8.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 10.4%, while 2019 saw the largest increase at 4.6%.

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

Exports camel meat and offal from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Camel meat and offal exports from Southern Asia have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 644.2 tonnes, marking a sharp 39.8% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 33 277.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 593.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman were the primary markets for exports in kind, accounting for 37.7%, 30.4%, and 21.1% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 89.2% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export volumes of camel meat and offal from Southern Asia have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export value reached 2 596 thousand US dollars, up 27.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 39 981.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 637.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman dominated the export structure in value terms, with shares of 38.7%, 30.2%, and 20.1%, respectively. Combined, these three markets represented 88.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports camel meat and offal to Southern Asia

Desk-based research indicates that Southern Asia did not import any camel meat and offal from 2017 to 2020.