Beef (cattle meat) production in Sri Lanka
In 2024 Sri Lanka produced 20,900 t of beef (cattle meat), the 120th largest in the world (0.03% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 1.7%. The record was 35,200 t in 1971.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 20,900 t
- World rank
- 120 of 189
- 10-year change
- +1.7%
- Record
- 35,200 t
- 1971
Beef (cattle meat) in Sri Lanka, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Sri Lanka compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.03%
- 0.03% in 2014
- kg per person
- 0.90
- world 8.55
- 10-year change
- +1.7%
- world +10%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 118 | United Arab Emirates | 22,005 | 0.03% |
| 119 | Mozambique | 21,335 | 0.03% |
| 120 | Sri Lanka | 20,900 | 0.03% |
| 121 | North Korea | 20,349 | 0.03% |
| 122 | Bulgaria | 18,820 | 0.03% |
Map of world production of beef (cattle meat)
Share of the world total; Sri Lanka is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20,900 | +9.4% |
| 2023 | 19,100 | −1.2% |
| 2022 | 19,330 | −0.9% |
| 2021 | 19,500 | −5.7% |
| 2020 | 20,680 | −1.1% |
| 2019 | 20,900 | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 20,850 | 0.0% |
| 2017 | 20,850 | −7.1% |
| 2016 | 22,440 | −0.4% |
| 2015 | 22,530 | +9.6% |
| 2014 | 20,550 | −11% |
| 2013 | 23,200 | −1.9% |
| 2012 | 23,650 | +4.2% |
| 2011 | 22,695 | −20% |
| 2010 | 28,490 | +25% |
| 2009 | 22,860 | +2.6% |
| 2008 | 22,280 | −5.3% |
| 2007 | 23,520 | −10% |
| 2006 | 26,250 | −10% |
| 2005 | 29,280 | +3.8% |
| 2004 | 28,200 | −4.1% |
| 2003 | 29,400 | +5.4% |
| 2002 | 27,900 | +1.8% |
| 2001 | 27,410 | −4.6% |
| 2000 | 28,720 | +22% |
| 1999 | 23,610 | −5.4% |
| 1998 | 24,950 | −1.7% |
| 1997 | 25,380 | +4.0% |
| 1996 | 24,400 | −11% |
| 1995 | 27,490 | +5.1% |
| 1994 | 26,160 | +7.2% |
| 1993 | 24,410 | −5.1% |
| 1992 | 25,730 | +11% |
| 1991 | 23,130 | +14% |
| 1990 | 20,350 | −0.2% |
| 1989 | 20,400 | −4.9% |
| 1988 | 21,440 | −14% |
| 1987 | 25,060 | −4.8% |
| 1986 | 26,320 | −1.8% |
| 1985 | 26,800 | −1.1% |
| 1984 | 27,100 | +3.8% |
| 1983 | 26,100 | +5.2% |
| 1982 | 24,800 | 0.0% |
| 1981 | 24,800 | +2.5% |
| 1980 | 24,200 | +1.7% |
| 1979 | 23,800 | −7.4% |
| 1978 | 25,700 | −3.0% |
| 1977 | 26,500 | −13% |
| 1976 | 30,400 | −9.3% |
| 1975 | 33,500 | −0.9% |
| 1974 | 33,800 | −2.0% |
| 1973 | 34,500 | +3.3% |
| 1972 | 33,400 | −5.1% |
| 1971 | 35,200 | +7.6% |
| 1970 | 32,700 | −1.2% |
| 1969 | 33,100 | +3.4% |
| 1968 | 32,000 | +3.6% |
| 1967 | 30,900 | +1.6% |
| 1966 | 30,400 | −1.6% |
| 1965 | 30,900 | −1.3% |
| 1964 | 31,300 | +9.1% |
| 1963 | 28,700 | −2.4% |
| 1962 | 29,400 | +19% |
| 1961 | 24,800 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 21 t USD 211,000
- Exporter rank
- 70 of 92
- Imports
- 1 t USD 5,000
- Importer rank
- 169 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 Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka produced 20,900 t in 2024, 0.03% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Sri Lanka rank in the world for production of beef (cattle meat)?
Sri Lanka ranked 120th 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 Sri Lanka changed?
It rose by 1.7% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +10% for the world. The record was 35,200 t in 1971.
Does Sri Lanka export or import meat of cattle with the bone, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 Sri Lanka reported exports of 21 t (USD 211,000) and imports of 1 t (USD 5,000), 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 Sri Lanka is estimated 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.