Egypt’s government-run slaughterhouses provide a clear snapshot of national meat consumption patterns in 2024, revealing strong preferences shaped by price, availability, and cultural habits. According to official data from CAPMAS, cattle and buffalo dominate total slaughtered meat volumes, highlighting their central role in the Egyptian protein basket.
Cattle (calves) lead by a wide margin, accounting for around 149 thousand tons, followed by buffalo meat at approximately 52 thousand tons. These two categories alone represent the bulk of officially slaughtered red meat, reflecting consumer reliance on large ruminants despite rising prices and production costs.
Sheep and goats contribute more modest volumes, at roughly 11 thousand tons and 0.2 thousand tons respectively, largely due to higher relative prices, seasonal demand, and lower herd availability. Camels, while culturally present, remain a niche protein source at about 15 thousand tons, concentrated mainly in specific regions and consumption occasions.
Meanwhile, pork remains negligible within the official slaughterhouse system, consistent with Egypt’s religious and cultural context.
Overall, the data highlights a meat market under pressure: demand remains strong for traditional red meat, while affordability and supply constraints increasingly shape consumption choices. The figures also underline the growing importance of livestock efficiency, import policies, and price stability in ensuring food security in Egypt.
