Beef (cattle meat) production in Zambia
In 2024 Zambia produced 221,927 t of beef (cattle meat), the 49th largest in the world (0.32% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 6.7%. The record was 232,219 t in 2023.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 221,927 t
- World rank
- 49 of 189
- 10-year change
- +6.7%
- Record
- 232,219 t
- 2023
Beef (cattle meat) in Zambia, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Zambia compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.32%
- 0.33% in 2014
- kg per person
- 10.4
- world 8.55
- 10-year change
- +6.7%
- world +10%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | Uganda | 237,543 | 0.34% |
| 48 | Iran | 235,157 | 0.34% |
| 49 | Zambia | 221,927 | 0.32% |
| 50 | Turkmenistan | 209,347 | 0.30% |
| 51 | Bangladesh | 204,685 | 0.29% |
Map of world production of beef (cattle meat)
Share of the world total; Zambia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 221,927 | −4.4% |
| 2023 | 232,219 | +29% |
| 2022 | 180,479 | −3.8% |
| 2021 | 187,660 | +5.5% |
| 2020 | 177,794 | −4.6% |
| 2019 | 186,378 | +2.4% |
| 2018 | 181,981 | −13% |
| 2017 | 209,300 | +31% |
| 2016 | 159,400 | −1.0% |
| 2015 | 161,000 | −23% |
| 2014 | 208,000 | +5.1% |
| 2013 | 197,827 | +23% |
| 2012 | 160,899 | +4.5% |
| 2011 | 153,970 | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 153,600 | +26% |
| 2009 | 121,600 | +55% |
| 2008 | 78,400 | +34% |
| 2007 | 58,400 | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 57,600 | −2.7% |
| 2005 | 59,200 | +5.7% |
| 2004 | 56,000 | −5.4% |
| 2003 | 59,200 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 59,200 | +8.8% |
| 2001 | 54,400 | +3.0% |
| 2000 | 52,800 | −7.9% |
| 1999 | 57,350 | +9.2% |
| 1998 | 52,500 | +4.2% |
| 1997 | 50,375 | +20% |
| 1996 | 41,870 | −3.7% |
| 1995 | 43,500 | −14% |
| 1994 | 50,400 | −2.9% |
| 1993 | 51,925 | −3.8% |
| 1992 | 54,000 | −6.3% |
| 1991 | 57,600 | +4.3% |
| 1990 | 55,200 | +61% |
| 1989 | 34,240 | +1.4% |
| 1988 | 33,760 | +1.4% |
| 1987 | 33,296 | +3.2% |
| 1986 | 32,256 | +2.0% |
| 1985 | 31,616 | +11% |
| 1984 | 28,357 | −5.2% |
| 1983 | 29,920 | −8.2% |
| 1982 | 32,608 | +5.9% |
| 1981 | 30,784 | +9.7% |
| 1980 | 28,055 | +1.8% |
| 1979 | 27,570 | +0.8% |
| 1978 | 27,358 | −1.3% |
| 1977 | 27,712 | +0.7% |
| 1976 | 27,506 | +6.4% |
| 1975 | 25,840 | +4.7% |
| 1974 | 24,676 | −7.1% |
| 1973 | 26,556 | +3.0% |
| 1972 | 25,777 | −1.3% |
| 1971 | 26,107 | −5.2% |
| 1970 | 27,540 | +9.2% |
| 1969 | 25,228 | −8.3% |
| 1968 | 27,524 | +5.5% |
| 1967 | 26,090 | −5.8% |
| 1966 | 27,685 | +2.5% |
| 1965 | 27,018 | +9.6% |
| 1964 | 24,643 | −0.2% |
| 1963 | 24,700 | −0.8% |
| 1962 | 24,890 | −0.8% |
| 1961 | 25,080 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 287 t USD 925,000
- Exporter rank
- 54 of 92
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 Zambia?
Zambia produced 221,927 t in 2024, 0.32% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Zambia rank in the world for production of beef (cattle meat)?
Zambia ranked 49th 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 Zambia changed?
It rose by 6.7% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +10% for the world. The record was 232,219 t in 2023.
Does Zambia export or import meat of cattle with the bone, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 Zambia reported exports of 287 t (USD 925,000) and no imports, 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 Zambia 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.