Africa: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in Africa

In 2021, the African beef market decreased by -1.3% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Beef Production in Africa

In value terms, beef production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 26%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were South Africa (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Egypt (X tons), with a combined 34% share of total production. Tanzania, Chad, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda and Algeria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 46%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Tanzania (with a CAGR of +6.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2021, the average beef yield in Africa shrank slightly to X kg per head, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2020. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 3.2% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X kg per head in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for beef production in Africa; picking up by 2.3% compared with the previous year's figure. This number increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the number of producing animals increased by 2.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number reached the maximum level in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Beef Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -5.8% to X tons, falling for the fifth consecutive year after five years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 25%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, beef exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The level of export peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the main exporting country with an export of about X tons, which reached 58% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Namibia (X tons), Sudan (X tons) and Botswana (X tons), together committing a 34% share of total exports. Kenya (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to beef exports from South Africa stood at +11.0%. At the same time, Kenya (+15.8%) and Sudan (+10.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kenya emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +15.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Namibia (-9.2%) and Botswana (-14.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+35 p.p.), Sudan (+7.2 p.p.) and Kenya (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Namibia (-21.1 p.p.) and Botswana (-23 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest beef supplier in Africa, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Namibia ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Sudan, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa amounted to +14.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (-7.2% per year) and Sudan (+15.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, surging by 23% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per ton), while Botswana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sudan (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -15.8% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports showed a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 124% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef imports shrank markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a noticeable slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Egypt dominates imports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 58% of total imports in 2021. Algeria (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 6.8% share, followed by Ghana (6.2%) and Libya (5.9%). The following importers - Senegal (X tons), Gabon (X tons), Angola (X tons), Congo (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) - together made up 11% of total imports.

Egypt experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of beef (cattle meat). At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+11.5%), Senegal (+9.8%) and Ghana (+6.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +11.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Congo (-1.0%), Libya (-1.0%), Gabon (-2.7%), Algeria (-12.9%) and Angola (-19.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Egypt (+14 p.p.), Ghana (+3.7 p.p.) and Senegal (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Angola (-9 p.p.) and Algeria (-9.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported beef (cattle meat) in Africa, comprising 69% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Algeria ($X), with a 5.9% share of total imports. It was followed by Libya, with a 5.3% share.

In Egypt, beef imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Algeria (-12.0% per year) and Libya (-1.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a mild expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the import price increased by 49% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Senegal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Angola (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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