Prepared or preserved beef and offal market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for prepared or preserved beef and offal in Sub-Saharan Africa began the period with a high volume of 51 048 t in 2018, supported by substantial imports and underlying demand fueled by population growth. The market volume then contracted over the next two years, stabilizing around 35 000 t by 2020.

A significant turnaround occurred in 2021, with market volume surging to 46 174 t. This growth was driven by a sharp increase in domestic production, which benefited from higher carcass weights due to lower feed costs, genetic improvements in herds, and an expansion in slaughter numbers following herd recovery from earlier foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. This production-led expansion was short-lived, as high animal feed prices in 2б22 reduced the profitability of local cattle farming, constraining output and contributing to a market decline to 43 525 t.

By 2023, domestic production showed a slight recovery, yet the total market volume continued to decrease to 41 575 t. This occurred amidst a looser global beef supply environment, which increased export competition and influenced trade flows, while regional demand remained dynamic due to steady population and income growth.

Production prepared or preserved beef and offal in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, Sub-Saharan Africa's production of prepared or preserved beef and offal has rebounded. In 2020, the region produced 18 464 tonnes, marking a modest 4.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 3.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 17 605 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018 with a 6.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports prepared or preserved beef and offal from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of prepared or preserved beef and offal have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 3 569 tonnes, representing a significant 30.2% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader 2017-2020 timeframe, exports actually declined by 9.4%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.2%. The export volume reached its lowest point in 2018 at 2 309 tonnes, with that year also seeing the steepest decline of 41.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Qatar were the primary destinations for Sub-Saharan Africa's prepared or preserved beef and offal exports. The UAE accounted for 18.9% of export volume, Vietnam for 3.3%, and Qatar for 1.5%. Together, these three markets represented 23.8% of total exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's prepared or preserved beef and offal exports have declined in value for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 15 336 thousand US dollars, which is 14.6% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased substantially by 34.4%, with an average annual decline of 13.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar were the main buyers of prepared or preserved beef and offal from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Together, these two markets accounted for 25.7% of total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports prepared or preserved beef and offal to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed considerable volatility throughout the period. The lowest point came in 2019 with 19 475 tonnes, while imports peaked in 2018 at 35 503 tonnes - representing a 1.8-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, imports reached 20 261 tonnes, showing a modest 4.0% increase from 2019. The most dramatic changes occurred in 2018 with a 77.6% surge, followed by a sharp 45.1% contraction in 2019.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Italy, Brazil, and France dominated Sub-Saharan Africa's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal. Italy accounted for 39.8% of import volume, Brazil for 17.5%, and France for 17.2%. Collectively, these three suppliers represented 74.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal reached 46 373 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a slight 1.3% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 10.4%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 45 790 thousand US dollars, while imports peaked in 2018 at 52 511 thousand US dollars. The most significant changes occurred in 2019 with a 12.8% drop, following a modest 1.5% increase in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Brazil, and France were the leading suppliers of prepared or preserved beef and offal to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Italy accounted for 24.2% of import value, Brazil for 22.0%, and France for 13.9%. Together, these three countries represented 60.2% of total import value during this period.

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

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