Beef (cattle meat) production in Nigeria
In 2024 Nigeria produced 317,049 t of beef (cattle meat), the 38th largest in the world (0.45% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 17%. The record was 437,724 t in 1985.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 317,049 t
- World rank
- 38 of 189
- 10-year change
- −17%
- Record
- 437,724 t
- 1985
Beef (cattle meat) in Nigeria, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Nigeria compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.45%
- 0.60% in 2014
- kg per person
- 1.36
- world 8.55
- 10-year change
- −17%
- world +10%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Bolivia | 349,417 | 0.50% |
| 37 | Egypt | 321,031 | 0.46% |
| 38 | Nigeria | 317,049 | 0.45% |
| 39 | Tajikistan | 313,639 | 0.45% |
| 40 | Guatemala | 312,602 | 0.45% |
Map of world production of beef (cattle meat)
Share of the world total; Nigeria is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 317,049 | −0.7% |
| 2023 | 319,404 | −0.8% |
| 2022 | 321,916 | −0.9% |
| 2021 | 324,910 | −0.2% |
| 2020 | 325,428 | −0.2% |
| 2019 | 326,118 | +2.4% |
| 2018 | 318,368 | +5.8% |
| 2017 | 300,856 | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 298,262 | −22% |
| 2015 | 384,396 | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 381,080 | +0.9% |
| 2013 | 377,794 | +31% |
| 2012 | 288,281 | −18% |
| 2011 | 350,009 | +14% |
| 2010 | 306,960 | −7.1% |
| 2009 | 330,250 | +0.6% |
| 2008 | 328,250 | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 327,984 | +26% |
| 2006 | 259,457 | −15% |
| 2005 | 305,610 | −5.5% |
| 2004 | 323,410 | +5.1% |
| 2003 | 307,827 | −14% |
| 2002 | 357,425 | +13% |
| 2001 | 316,031 | +13% |
| 2000 | 279,000 | −6.4% |
| 1999 | 298,000 | +0.3% |
| 1998 | 297,000 | +1.0% |
| 1997 | 294,000 | +5.0% |
| 1996 | 280,000 | +4.9% |
| 1995 | 266,861 | +1.0% |
| 1994 | 264,319 | +8.2% |
| 1993 | 244,378 | +16% |
| 1992 | 210,000 | +2.4% |
| 1991 | 205,000 | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 204,273 | −6.1% |
| 1989 | 217,530 | −7.8% |
| 1988 | 236,049 | −12% |
| 1987 | 266,734 | −5.9% |
| 1986 | 283,478 | −35% |
| 1985 | 437,724 | +2.8% |
| 1984 | 425,918 | +3.4% |
| 1983 | 411,797 | +13% |
| 1982 | 364,231 | +11% |
| 1981 | 329,125 | −11% |
| 1980 | 370,216 | +35% |
| 1979 | 274,981 | +12% |
| 1978 | 244,919 | +12% |
| 1977 | 218,191 | −12% |
| 1976 | 248,686 | +37% |
| 1975 | 182,179 | −19% |
| 1974 | 223,911 | −1.1% |
| 1973 | 226,483 | +38% |
| 1972 | 163,776 | −13% |
| 1971 | 188,332 | −4.0% |
| 1970 | 196,104 | −1.3% |
| 1969 | 198,591 | +22% |
| 1968 | 162,340 | −4.8% |
| 1967 | 170,551 | −2.1% |
| 1966 | 174,215 | −5.1% |
| 1965 | 183,492 | +6.1% |
| 1964 | 172,897 | +14% |
| 1963 | 151,918 | +3.9% |
| 1962 | 146,245 | −6.4% |
| 1961 | 156,300 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Imports
- 126 t USD 614,000
- Importer rank
- 105 of 169
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of beef (cattle meat) in Nigeria?
Nigeria produced 317,049 t in 2024, 0.45% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Nigeria rank in the world for production of beef (cattle meat)?
Nigeria ranked 38th of 189 countries in 2024. The largest producer was United States with 17.6% of the world total.
How has the production of beef (cattle meat) in Nigeria changed?
It fell by 17% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +10% for the world. The record was 437,724 t in 1985.
Does Nigeria export or import meat of cattle with the bone, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 Nigeria reported no exports and imports of 126 t (USD 614,000), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for Nigeria is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.