United Arab Emirates: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in the United Arab Emirates

The beef market in the United Arab Emirates skyrocketed to $X in 2021, increasing by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed prominent growth. Beef consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Beef Production in the United Arab Emirates

In value terms, beef production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the average yield of beef (cattle meat) in the United Arab Emirates stood at X kg per head, almost unchanged from the year before. In general, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The beef yield peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for beef production in the United Arab Emirates; increasing by 2.9% against 2020. This number increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for beef production peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Beef Exports

Exports from the United Arab Emirates

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of beef (cattle meat) increased by 48% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports saw a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 546%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, beef exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 639% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Oman (X tons) was the main destination for beef exports from the United Arab Emirates, with a 82% share of total exports. Moreover, beef exports to Oman exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Maldives (X tons), tenfold. Pakistan (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Oman stood at +15.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Maldives (+12.5% per year) and Pakistan (+24.8% per year).

In value terms, Oman ($X) remains the key foreign market for beef (cattle meat) exports from the United Arab Emirates, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Maldives ($X), with a 25% share of total exports. It was followed by Pakistan, with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Oman totaled +15.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Maldives (+12.9% per year) and Pakistan (+27.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 15% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. 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 destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Maldives ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Saudi Arabia (+11.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports into the United Arab Emirates

Beef imports into the United Arab Emirates soared to X tons in 2021, picking up by 16% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -3.6% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 32%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, beef imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, 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

Brazil (X tons), India (X tons) and Pakistan (X tons) were the main suppliers of beef imports to the United Arab Emirates, with a combined 83% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Australia, the United States, New Zealand and South Africa, which together accounted for a further 14%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by South Africa (with a CAGR of +102.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest beef suppliers to the United Arab Emirates were Brazil ($X), Pakistan ($X) and India ($X), with a combined 63% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Australia, the United States, New Zealand and South Africa, which together accounted for a further 31%.

South Africa, with a CAGR of +103.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 16% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+6.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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