Salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in Central Asia showed initial growth and then stabilization. The market volume began at 616 t in 2018, supported by a broader increase in beef exports from Kazakhstan and rising meat prices in the region, which encouraged production activity. In 2019, the market expanded significantly to 746 t, largely due to a surge in imports to 89 t. This coincided with a trend of rising beef prices in Russia, which likely stimulated cross-border trade flows for meat products. The market then dipped slightly to 739 t in 2020 as imports fell to 60 t, reflecting a shift in Russian consumer preferences where sales of beef declined while demand for pork and poultry grew.

The period from 2021 to 2023 was marked by extreme volatility. Market volume peaked at 888 t in 2021, driven by record imports of 189 t. This surge was linked to the growth of meat delicacy and sausage production in Russia, which increased demand for meat raw materials, including salted beef, from Central Asian suppliers. However, in 2022, the market collapsed to 473 t as imports nearly vanished at 2.3 t and domestic production fell. This sharp decline was directly explained by falling real incomes in Russia, which reduced consumer spending on more expensive beef and curtailed import demand. A partial recovery to 510 t occurred in 2023, with imports rising to 12 t, as the market adjusted to new conditions including rising meat production and beef prices in Russia, alongside the upcoming introduction of mandatory meat product labeling from October 2024.

Production salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef, 2017-2020

World map of production of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef, 2017-2020

Central Asia's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 679.6 tonnes, marking a 3.5% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 16%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.

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

Exports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef from Central Asia

Exports in kind, kg

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

From 2017 to 2020, Central Asia's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef were almost entirely directed to Russia, which accounted for 100.0% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

In value terms, the export pattern from 2017 to 2020 showed a heavy reliance on Russia, which absorbed 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef to Central Asia

Imports in kind, kg

The import market for salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef in Central Asia experienced significant fluctuations during this period. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 1 638 kg, followed by a sharp rise to 89 358 kg in 2019—a 5,355.7% increase, which was the largest jump recorded. By 2020, imports dropped to 59 659 kg, a 33.2% decrease year-over-year. The overall swing from the 2018 low to the 2019 high was 55-fold, highlighting the market's instability.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belarus was the dominant supplier of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef to Central Asia, making up 95.6% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms also showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, imports were at their minimum of 28.7 thousand US dollars, then surged to 313.2 thousand US dollars in 2019—a 991.6% increase, the largest rise observed. By 2020, imports fell to 179.6 thousand US dollars, down 42.7% from the previous year. The difference between the 2018 low and 2019 high was 10.9-fold, underscoring the market's turbulent nature.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus was the main source for imports in value terms, representing 77.9% of total flows, with other markets contributing smaller shares.

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

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