MENA: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in MENA

The MENA's beef market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Beef Production in MENA

In value terms, beef production rose modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 25%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of beef production was Turkey (X tons), comprising approx. 44% of total volume. Moreover, beef production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Egypt (X tons), threefold. Iran (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 10% share.

In Turkey, beef production expanded at an average annual rate of +7.1% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Egypt (-5.3% per year) and Iran (-0.9% per year).

In 2021, the average beef yield in MENA totaled X kg per head, almost unchanged from 2020 figures. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 5.2%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per head. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the beef yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for beef production in MENA was estimated at X heads, growing by 4.8% on 2020 figures. Overall, the number of producing animals recorded a modest expansion. As a result, the number of animals produced attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Beef Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, shipments abroad of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -11.5% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, exports showed a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 126%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, beef exports stood at $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, posted modest growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 183% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the major exporter of beef (cattle meat), creating 43% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Israel (X tons), together mixing up a 37% share of total exports. Jordan (X tons), Lebanon (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to beef exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at +7.8%. At the same time, Turkey (+37.5%), Israel (+7.6%), Lebanon (+5.9%) and Egypt (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +37.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-4.0%) and Jordan (-25.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Israel increased by +25, +14 and +5.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest beef supplier in MENA, comprising 45% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Turkey ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with an 11% 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: Turkey (+33.4% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-0.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 18% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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 Turkey ($X per ton), while Lebanon ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, overseas purchases of beef (cattle meat) increased by 4.4% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 61% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, beef imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Egypt (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Israel (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Iraq (X tons) represented the largest importer of beef (cattle meat) in MENA, generating 74% of total import. Iran (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Jordan (X tons), Qatar (X tons), Algeria (X tons), Oman (X tons), Libya (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading 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 MENA were Egypt ($X), Israel ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a combined 55% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Qatar, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya and Oman, which together accounted for a further 42%.

Among the main importing countries, Qatar, with a CAGR of +11.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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 MENA amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 5.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 19%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per ton), while Iraq ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+5.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform