Middle East: Beef Market 2024

Beef Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern beef market rose markedly to $X in 2021, surging by 13% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Beef Production in the Middle East

In value terms, beef production rose remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Turkey (X tons) remains the largest beef producing country in the Middle East, accounting for 63% of total volume. Moreover, beef production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Israel (X tons), with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Turkey stood at +7.1%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (-0.9% per year) and Israel (+2.0% per year).

The average beef yield totaled X kg per head in 2021, approximately reflecting the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the beef yield attained the maximum level in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for beef production in the Middle East rose sharply to X heads, with an increase of 9.2% compared with 2020. This number increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, the amount of producing animals attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Beef Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, overseas shipments of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -10.8% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 142% against the previous year. 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 totaled $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a mild increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 186%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the main exporting country with an export of about X tons, which accounted for 45% of total exports. Turkey (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Israel (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 38% share of total exports. The following exporters - Jordan (X tons), Lebanon (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) - together made up 10% 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%) and Lebanon (+5.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +37.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-4.0%), Kuwait (-8.3%) and Jordan (-25.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+26 p.p.), Turkey (+14 p.p.), Israel (+5.3 p.p.) and Lebanon (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Kuwait (-2.4 p.p.), Saudi Arabia (-2.9 p.p.) and Jordan (-43.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest beef supplier in the Middle East, comprising 46% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Turkey ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates amounted to +9.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (+33.4% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-0.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 18% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the export price increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: 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 Kuwait (+6.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports in the Middle East

Beef imports soared to X tons in 2021, jumping by 20% against 2020. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Israel (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Iraq (X tons) was the main importer of beef (cattle meat) in the Middle East, achieving 72% of total import. Iran (X tons) held a 5.4% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Kuwait (5.1%). Jordan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Iraq (with a CAGR of +12.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest beef importing markets in the Middle East were Israel ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X), with a combined 65% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Iran, which together accounted for a further 23%.

Among the main importing countries, Iraq, with a CAGR of +10.3%, 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

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 6.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 8.6%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

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 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

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