Middle East: Fresh Beef Carcase Market 2025

Fresh Beef Carcase Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern fresh beef carcase market shrank to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -5.3% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a buoyant increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Fresh Beef Carcase Production in the Middle East

In value terms, fresh beef carcase production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, posted a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 70%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Fresh Beef Carcase Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, shipments abroad of fresh or chilled carcases of beef and veal decreased by -32.4% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 103% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then contracted notably in the following year.

In value terms, fresh beef carcase exports shrank markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 109%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the largest exporter of fresh or chilled carcases of beef and veal, mixing up 63% of total exports. Turkey (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 10% share, followed by Iran (6.5%), Kuwait (5.6%) and Lebanon (4.9%). The following exporters - Jordan (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) - each resulted at a 5.5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to fresh beef carcase exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at +8.1%. At the same time, Iran (+53.2%), Turkey (+36.6%), Bahrain (+29.2%), Lebanon (+29.2%), Jordan (+10.1%) and Kuwait (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iran emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +53.2% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Turkey, Iran, Lebanon and Bahrain increased by +9, +6.3, +4 and +2.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) emerged as the largest fresh beef carcase supplier in the Middle East, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Iran ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +11.4%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Iran (+69.7% per year) and Turkey (+31.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, growing by 9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iran (+10.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fresh Beef Carcase Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, purchases abroad of fresh or chilled carcases of beef and veal decreased by -25.8% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports saw a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 72%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fresh beef carcase imports contracted to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a moderate expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 64% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the main importer of fresh or chilled carcases of beef and veal in the Middle East, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 43% of total imports in 2022. Kuwait (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 19% share, followed by Qatar (14%), Bahrain (8.2%) and Israel (6.4%). The following importers - Iran (X tons) and Oman (X tons) - each reached a 7.6% share of total imports.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Israel (+124.6%), Iran (+20.4%), Qatar (+12.6%), Kuwait (+5.3%) and Bahrain (+4.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Israel emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +124.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Oman (-7.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+20 p.p.), Qatar (+11 p.p.), Kuwait (+10 p.p.), Israel (+6.4 p.p.), Bahrain (+4.1 p.p.) and Iran (+3.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Oman (-2.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported fresh or chilled carcases of beef and veal in the Middle East, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kuwait ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with a 12% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, fresh beef carcase imports expanded at an average annual rate of +12.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kuwait (+12.2% per year) and Qatar (+12.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 23% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +5.1%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, 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 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+7.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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