Western Africa: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in Western Africa

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in the West African beef market, when its value decreased by -0.8% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Beef Production in Western Africa

In value terms, beef production contracted slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 14% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Nigeria (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of beef production, comprising approx. 36% of total volume. Moreover, beef production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Burkina Faso (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Guinea (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Nigeria totaled +1.7%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Burkina Faso (-1.7% per year) and Guinea (+4.6% per year).

The average beef yield contracted slightly to X kg per head in 2021, which is down by -2.4% against 2020 figures. In general, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the yield increased by 9.3%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per head. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the beef yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for beef production in Western Africa reached X heads, stabilizing at the year before. This number increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the number of producing animals increased by 3.7%. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Beef Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of beef (cattle meat) was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports enjoyed prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 155% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, beef exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a modest expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 84% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the six major exporters of beef (cattle meat), namely Nigeria, Cabo Verde, Senegal, Mali, Mauritania and Cote d'Ivoire, represented more than two-thirds of total export. Niger (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Mauritania (with a CAGR of +14.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mali ($X), Cabo Verde ($X) and Cote d'Ivoire ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 60% of total exports.

Mali, with a CAGR of +29.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, declining by -18.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 59% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Niger ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mali (+15.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Beef Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of beef (cattle meat) were imported in Western Africa; increasing by 71% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports posted buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 104% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, beef imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports posted a perceptible expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Ghana was the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which resulted at 53% of total imports. Senegal (X tons) took a 25% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Cote d'Ivoire (5.3%) and Liberia (4.9%). Sierra Leone (X tons) and Mali (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to beef imports into Ghana stood at +6.5%. At the same time, Mali (+19.2%), Senegal (+9.8%), Sierra Leone (+8.4%) and Cote d'Ivoire (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mali emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +19.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Liberia (-5.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Senegal (+8.2 p.p.), Ghana (+6.2 p.p.) and Mali (+2.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia saw its share reduced by -1.5% and -7.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported beef (cattle meat) in Western Africa, comprising 45% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Senegal ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Mali, with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Ghana totaled +8.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Senegal (+5.0% per year) and Mali (+27.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the import price increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mali (+6.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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