GCC: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in GCC

The GCC beef market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, surging by 21% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +57.7% against 2016 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Beef Production in GCC

In value terms, beef production expanded significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 18%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Saudi Arabia (X tons) remains the largest beef producing country in GCC, accounting for 50% of total volume. Moreover, beef production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), twofold. Oman (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 20% share.

In Saudi Arabia, beef production decreased by an average annual rate of -2.7% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United Arab Emirates (+2.2% per year) and Oman (+0.2% per year).

In 2021, the average beef yield in GCC dropped to X kg per head, reducing by -2.5% compared with 2020. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 6.7%. The level of yield peaked at X kg per head in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for beef production in GCC; approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 11%. As a result, the number of animals produced attained the peak level of X heads. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of this number failed to regain momentum.

Beef Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, overseas shipments of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -3.9% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a pronounced increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 229% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef exports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 317% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the main exporter of beef (cattle meat), achieving 70% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons), together achieving a 26% share of total exports. The following exporters - Oman (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) - each reached a 4% share of total exports.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the beef (cattle meat) exports, with a CAGR of +7.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Oman (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Bahrain (-2.8%), Saudi Arabia (-4.0%) and Kuwait (-8.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+26 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Kuwait and Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -7.6% and -17.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest beef supplier in GCC, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Kuwait, with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +9.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (-0.2% per year) and Kuwait (-2.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 15% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.2%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by 27%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+6.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, approx. X tons of beef (cattle meat) were imported in GCC; picking up by 14% compared with 2020. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, beef imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) dominates imports structure, together mixing up 75% of total imports. Kuwait (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Qatar (X tons) and Oman (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 22% share of total imports. Bahrain (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Qatar (with a CAGR of +12.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest beef importing markets in GCC were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Kuwait ($X), together accounting for 85% of total imports. These countries were followed by Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, which together accounted for a further 15%.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +11.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 9.8% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Qatar ($X per ton) and Kuwait ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) and Bahrain ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform