This list reveals the top 10 meat importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2017, world meat imports totaled US$120.6 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $4.4 billion worth of meat led by the following countries:
1. Egypt: $1.6 billion
2. South Africa: $676 million
3. Angola: $478.4 million
4. Congo: $196.4 million
5. Algeria: $188.8 million
6. Ghana: $157.9 million
7. Democratic Rep. Congo: $150.4 million
8. Gabon: $142.6 million
9. Libya: $109.6 million
10. Benin: $100.7 million
Asian Importers
Asia imported $40.1 billion worth of meat led by the following countries:
1. Japan: $10.1 billion
2. China: $9.5 billion
3. Hong Kong: $6.6 billion
4. South Korea: $4.4 billion
5. Vietnam: $3.3 billion
6. Taiwan: $1.4 billion
7. Philippines: $1.1 billion
8. Malaysia: $932.9 million
9. Singapore: $853.5 million
10. Indonesia: $555.7 million
To see the 25 fastest-growing meat importers from 2013 to 2017, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage gain for globally imported meat was 2.7%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Imported Meat Countries
Most Valuable Meat Imports 2017
European Union (EU) Importers
European Union imported $44.3 billion worth of meat led by the following EU members:
1. Germany: $7.6 billion
2. United Kingdom: $5.5 billion
3. Italy: $5.1 billion
4. France: $4.8 billion
5. Netherlands: $4.4 billion
6. Poland: $1.75 billion
7. Belgium: $1.65 billion
8. Spain: $1.6 billion
9. Greece: $1.3 billion
10. Czech Republic: $1.2 billion
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $4.2 billion worth of meat led by the following countries:
1. Chile: $1.4 billion
2. Brazil: $334.4 million
3. Colombia: $270.2 million
4. Cuba: $268.8 million
5. Guatemala: $219.2 million
6. Dominican Republic: $189.9 million
7. Peru: $147.2 million
8. Venezuela: $146.9 million
9. El Salvador: $135.2 million
10. Uruguay: $125.8 million
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $7.8 billion worth of meat led by the following countries:
1. Saudi Arabia: $1.9 billion
2. United Arab Emirates: $1.7 billion
3. Iraq: $858.4 million
4. Iran: $691.1 million
5. Israel: $569.5 million
6. Kuwait: $555.2 million
7. Qatar: $432.7 million
8. Jordan: $372.5 million
9. Oman: $243.2 million
10. Bahrain: $210.1 million
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $1.1 billion worth of meat led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $517 million
2. New Zealand: $194 million
3. Papua New Guinea: $128.7 million
4. French Polynesia: $74.6 million
5. New Caledonia: $39.4 million
6. Fiji: $36.1 million
7. Samoa: $27 million
8. Tonga: $17.1 million
9. Solomon Islands: $13.5 million
10. Vanuatu: $7.7 million
North American Importers
North America imported $14.1 billion worth of meat led by the following countries:
1. United States: $8.2 billion
2. Mexico: $3.9 billion
3. Canada: $2 billion
Research Note:
Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.
