Cattle Offal

What is Cattle Offal?

Cattle offal is an important source of food and nutrition in many cultures and cuisines around the world. In some regions, such as in parts of Africa and Asia, offal is considered a delicacy and is highly valued for its taste and nutritional benefits. For example, beef liver is a good source of iron, vitamins A and B12, and other nutrients that are essential for human health. Similarly, tripe, or the lining of the cow's stomach, is a rich source of protein and is used in many traditional dishes.

Despite its nutritional benefits, cattle offal is often considered a byproduct of the meat industry and is often sold at a lower price than other cuts of meat. However, there has been a growing interest in recent years in using offal in new and innovative ways, as a way to reduce food waste and increase the sustainability of the meat industry. For example, offal can be used to make sausages, meatballs, and other processed foods, or can be added to soups and stews to enhance their flavor and nutritional content.

One of the challenges of using cattle offal is the need to properly handle and process the internal organs to ensure they are safe for consumption. Offal can be more perishable than other cuts of meat and is more susceptible to contamination from bacteria and other pathogens. However, with proper sanitation and handling practices, offal can be safely and effectively used to create a range of delicious and nutritious dishes.

Cattle Offal Production in the World

The global production of Cattle Offal plays a significant role in agriculture and trade. As of 2023, China is the top producer, contributing 1,475,253 tonnes, which accounts for 16.72% of the total global production. Brazil ranks second, producing 1,434,857 tonnes, representing 16.26% of the world's output. Other significant producers include United States, Argentina, and Mexico, with production levels of 862,157, 559,497, and 344,544 tonnes, respectively. Seychelles has the lowest production among the listed countries, contributing just 1 tonnes in 2023. In total, global production of Cattle Offal reached approximately 8,821,956 tonnes in 2023.


Top 10 Countries by Cattle Offal Production in 2023


Countries Ranked by Cattle Offal Production in 2023

Source:FAOSTAT
Last Updated: 23 Jan 2025
RankCountryProduction (Tonnes)
1
China Flag
China
1,475,253
2
Brazil Flag
Brazil
1,434,857
3
United States Flag
United States
862,157
4
Argentina Flag
Argentina
559,497
5
Mexico Flag
Mexico
344,544
6
Australia Flag
Australia
313,073
7
South Africa Flag
South Africa
300,323
8
Russia Flag
Russia
288,246
9
Uzbekistan Flag
Uzbekistan
165,602
10
New Zealand Flag
New Zealand
164,658
11
Turkiye Flag
Turkiye
143,672
12
Colombia Flag
Colombia
121,201
13
Pakistan Flag
Pakistan
118,265
14
Uruguay Flag
Uruguay
108,281
15
Zimbabwe Flag
Zimbabwe
106,166
16
Chad Flag
Chad
94,222
17
Ethiopia Flag
Ethiopia
86,341
18
United Kingdom Flag
United Kingdom
85,057
19
Tanzania Flag
Tanzania
81,748
20
Indonesia Flag
Indonesia
77,540
21
Belarus Flag
Belarus
65,789
22
Paraguay Flag
Paraguay
64,036
23
Kazakhstan Flag
Kazakhstan
61,785
24
Sudan Flag
Sudan
61,609
25
Egypt Flag
Egypt
61,100
26
Peru Flag
Peru
59,617
27
Iran Flag
Iran
54,928
28
Tajikistan Flag
Tajikistan
52,254
29
Venezuela Flag
Venezuela
51,780
30
Japan Flag
Japan
51,070
31
Vietnam Flag
Vietnam
49,852
32
Bolivia Flag
Bolivia
49,643
33
Morocco Flag
Morocco
48,462
34
Nigeria Flag
Nigeria
47,963
35
Kenya Flag
Kenya
45,678
36
Azerbaijan Flag
Azerbaijan
44,782
37
Canada Flag
Canada
43,131
38
Ecuador Flag
Ecuador
41,811
39
Bangladesh Flag
Bangladesh
40,521
40
South Korea Flag
South Korea
39,590
41
Uganda Flag
Uganda
39,331
42
Ukraine Flag
Ukraine
37,446
43
Zambia Flag
Zambia
33,823
44
Mongolia Flag
Mongolia
33,261
45
Turkmenistan Flag
Turkmenistan
28,250
46
Israel Flag
Israel
26,331
47
South Sudan Flag
South Sudan
23,681
48
Chile Flag
Chile
23,350
49
Nicaragua Flag
Nicaragua
22,989
50
Burkina Faso Flag
Burkina Faso
22,732
51
Switzerland Flag
Switzerland
22,642
52
Guatemala Flag
Guatemala
21,238
53
Algeria Flag
Algeria
20,700
54
Cameroon Flag
Cameroon
20,228
55
Philippines Flag
Philippines
19,839
56
Myanmar Flag
Myanmar
19,643
57
Kyrgyzstan Flag
Kyrgyzstan
19,101
58
Senegal Flag
Senegal
17,069
59
Angola Flag
Angola
16,948
60
Guinea Flag
Guinea
16,550
61
Cuba Flag
Cuba
15,594
62
Central African Republic Flag
Central African Republic
14,724
63
Yemen Flag
Yemen
14,643
64
Thailand Flag
Thailand
13,916
65
Niger Flag
Niger
13,536
66
Afghanistan Flag
Afghanistan
12,516
67
Serbia Flag
Serbia
11,817
68
Armenia Flag
Armenia
11,415
69
Somalia Flag
Somalia
10,239
70
Mali Flag
Mali
10,109
71
Cambodia Flag
Cambodia
10,101
72
Panama Flag
Panama
10,061
73
Botswana Flag
Botswana
9,388
74
Haiti Flag
Haiti
9,093
75
Dominican Republic Flag
Dominican Republic
9,079
76
Benin Flag
Benin
8,596
77
Costa Rica Flag
Costa Rica
8,474
78
Syria Flag
Syria
8,435
79
Saudi Arabia Flag
Saudi Arabia
8,400
80
Malawi Flag
Malawi
8,184
81
Lao PDR Flag
Lao PDR
8,133
82
Honduras Flag
Honduras
7,721
83
Rwanda Flag
Rwanda
7,576
84
Tunisia Flag
Tunisia
7,476
85
Jordan Flag
Jordan
6,919
86
Iraq Flag
Iraq
6,433
87
Mauritania Flag
Mauritania
6,176
88
Ghana Flag
Ghana
6,081
89
Madagascar Flag
Madagascar
5,995
90
Georgia Flag
Georgia
5,945
91
Norway Flag
Norway
5,399
92
Cote d'Ivoire Flag
Cote d'Ivoire
5,376
93
Eritrea Flag
Eritrea
5,018
94
Lebanon Flag
Lebanon
4,736
95
Namibia Flag
Namibia
4,655
96
North Korea Flag
North Korea
3,642
97
Albania Flag
Albania
3,538
98
Sri Lanka Flag
Sri Lanka
3,514
99
Mozambique Flag
Mozambique
3,440
100
Democratic Republic of the Congo Flag
Democratic Republic of the Congo
3,381
101
Sierra Leone Flag
Sierra Leone
3,317
102
El Salvador Flag
El Salvador
3,248
103
Malaysia Flag
Malaysia
3,196
104
Oman Flag
Oman
3,043
105
Burundi Flag
Burundi
2,734
106
Palestine Flag
Palestine
2,264
107
United Arab Emirates Flag
United Arab Emirates
1,938
108
Bosnia and Herzegovina Flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1,856
109
Eswatini Flag
Eswatini
1,675
110
Guinea-Bissau Flag
Guinea-Bissau
1,439
111
Jamaica Flag
Jamaica
1,300
112
Taiwan Flag
Taiwan
1,261
113
Djibouti Flag
Djibouti
1,205
114
Hong Kong Flag
Hong Kong
1,176
115
Togo Flag
Togo
916
116
Puerto Rico Flag
Puerto Rico
776
117
Iceland Flag
Iceland
749
118
Libya Flag
Libya
726
119
Republic of the Congo Flag
Republic of the Congo
692
120
Fiji Flag
Fiji
650
121
Montenegro Flag
Montenegro
521
122
The Gambia Flag
The Gambia
456
123
Papua New Guinea Flag
Papua New Guinea
455
124
New Caledonia Flag
New Caledonia
411
125
Kuwait Flag
Kuwait
396
126
Moldova Flag
Moldova
384
127
North Macedonia Flag
North Macedonia
358
128
Guyana Flag
Guyana
325
129
Bhutan Flag
Bhutan
295
130
Vanuatu Flag
Vanuatu
276
131
Suriname Flag
Suriname
242
132
Lesotho Flag
Lesotho
234
133
Samoa Flag
Samoa
232
134
Belize Flag
Belize
232
135
Comoros Flag
Comoros
224
136
Liberia Flag
Liberia
215
137
Timor-Leste Flag
Timor-Leste
207
138
Gabon Flag
Gabon
197
139
Bahrain Flag
Bahrain
191
140
Trinidad and Tobago Flag
Trinidad and Tobago
170
141
Mauritius Flag
Mauritius
160
142
Macao Flag
Macao
115
143
Cabo Verde Flag
Cabo Verde
107
144
Solomon Islands Flag
Solomon Islands
96
145
Brunei Darussalam Flag
Brunei Darussalam
78
146
Qatar Flag
Qatar
75
147
Dominica Flag
Dominica
67
148
Tonga Flag
Tonga
62
149
St. Lucia Flag
St. Lucia
55
150
Sao Tome and Principe Flag
Sao Tome and Principe
53
151
Micronesia Flag
Micronesia
39
152
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Flag
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
26
153
French Polynesia Flag
French Polynesia
23
154
Grenada Flag
Grenada
22
155
Barbados Flag
Barbados
20
156
Faroe Islands Flag
Faroe Islands
12
157
Equatorial Guinea Flag
Equatorial Guinea
9
158
St. Kitts and Nevis Flag
St. Kitts and Nevis
9
159
Singapore Flag
Singapore
5
160
Antigua and Barbuda Flag
Antigua and Barbuda
5
161
The Bahamas Flag
The Bahamas
4
162
Cook Islands Flag
Cook Islands
1
163
Seychelles Flag
Seychelles
1

Health Benefits of Cattle Offal

Cattle offal can offer various health benefits due to its nutrient-rich composition. Here are some of the potential health benefits:

  1. High in essential vitamins and minerals: Cattle offal is a good source of essential nutrients such as vitamins B12, A, D, and E, iron, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients are important for various bodily functions such as maintaining healthy vision, skin, immune function, nerve function, and DNA synthesis.
  2. Promotes muscle growth and repair: Cattle offal contains high levels of protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair.
  3. Supports heart health: Cattle offal is a good source of taurine, an amino acid that has been shown to help regulate blood pressure and support heart health.
  4. Boosts energy levels: Cattle offal is rich in vitamin B12, which is important for energy production and can help reduce fatigue and improve mood.
  5. Supports brain function: Cattle offal is a good source of choline, a nutrient that is important for brain function and development.

It is important to note that while beef offal can offer various health benefits, it should be consumed in moderation as it can also be high in cholesterol and other potentially harmful substances if consumed in excess.

Regional Variety of Cattle Offal

Cattle offal, or the internal organs and other edible parts of a cow, is used in various regional cuisines around the world. Here are some examples of regional beef offal dishes:

  1. Latin America:

    • "Menudo" (Mexico): Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup made with beef tripe (the lining of the cow's stomach) cooked in a flavorful broth with spices, chili peppers, and hominy.
    • "Churrasco de Coração" (Brazil): This Brazilian dish consists of skewered beef hearts that are seasoned and grilled to perfection. It is commonly enjoyed as a street food or at barbecues.
  2. Europe:

    • "Haggis" (Scotland): Haggis is a Scottish dish made with sheep's offal, including heart, liver, and lungs, mixed with onions, suet, oatmeal, and spices. However, variations using beef offal can also be found.
    • "Tripes à la Mode de Caen" (France): This classic French dish features beef tripe cooked slowly in a rich broth with vegetables, white wine, and herbs.
  3. East Asia:

    • "Sichuan Spicy Hotpot" (China): In Sichuan cuisine, beef offal such as tripe, intestines, and liver is commonly used in spicy hotpot dishes, where the offal is cooked in a spicy broth along with various vegetables and meats.
    • "Yukhoe" (South Korea): Yukhoe is a Korean raw beef dish, often made with high-quality beef tenderloin or sirloin, which can include finely minced beef liver for added richness. It is seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and other seasonings.
  4. Middle East and North Africa:

    • "Makloubeh" (Levantine): Makloubeh is a popular Levantine dish that typically includes layers of rice, meat (such as beef), and vegetables, including offal like heart or liver. It is cooked in a pot and then flipped over to serve.
    • "Kawaj" (Egypt): Kawaj is an Egyptian dish made with seasoned beef liver, which is usually sautéed with onions, garlic, and spices. It is often served as a breakfast or street food.

These are just a few examples, and there are many more regional beef offal dishes around the world. Culinary traditions and local preferences can influence the specific offal cuts used and the cooking techniques employed in different regions.

Nutritional Information of Cattle Offal

Cattle offal refers to the internal organs and other edible parts of cattle, including the liver, kidneys, heart, tripe, tongue, and oxtail. These parts are often consumed as a delicacy in many cultures and are known for their rich flavor and nutritional value. Here is a breakdown of the nutrition in beef offal, with percentages based on a 100-gram serving:

Liver: One serving of beef liver (100g) contains approximately:

  • Protein: 21g
  • Fat: 4.9g
  • Calories: 135
  • Vitamin A: 634-16,897 IU (depending on the source)
  • Vitamin B12: 71.1 µg
  • Iron: 6.2 mg

Kidneys: One serving of beef kidneys (100g) contains approximately:

  • Protein: 16g
  • Fat: 3.6g
  • Calories: 97
  • Vitamin B12: 30.3 µg
  • Iron: 3.3 mg

Heart: One serving of beef heart (100g) contains approximately:

  • Protein: 16g
  • Fat: 3.8g
  • Calories: 106
  • Vitamin B12: 2.6 µg
  • CoQ10: 57.9 mg

Tripe: One serving of beef tripe (100g) contains approximately:

  • Protein: 10g
  • Fat: 3.3g
  • Calories: 73
  • Zinc: 1.3 mg
  • Vitamin B12: 0.8 µg

Tongue: One serving of beef tongue (100g) contains approximately:

  • Protein: 13g
  • Fat: 12.4g
  • Calories: 184
  • Iron: 2.5 mg
  • Vitamin B12: 2.4 µg

Oxtail: One serving of beef oxtail (100g) contains approximately:

  • Protein: 18g
  • Fat: 7.6g
  • Calories: 147
  • Iron: 2.6 mg

In general, incorporating beef offal into a balanced diet can provide both nutrition and taste benefits. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that these parts often contain high levels of cholesterol and should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy eating pattern.

Types of Cattle Offal

Cattle offal refers to the internal organs and entrails of a cow, which are often consumed as food. Some of the most common types of beef offal include:

  1. Liver: the largest internal organ of the cow, rich in vitamin A, vitamin B12, iron, and other nutrients.
  2. Kidneys: a pair of bean-shaped organs that filter waste products from the blood and are a good source of vitamin B12 and iron.
  3. Heart: a muscle that is high in protein and a good source of iron and zinc.
  4. Tongue: a muscle that is often used in dishes such as tacos and sandwiches, and is a good source of protein and vitamin B12.
  5. Tripe: the lining of the cow's stomach, which is high in protein and a good source of zinc and vitamin B12.
  6. Sweetbreads: the thymus gland and pancreas of the cow, which is a good source of protein, vitamin B12, and selenium.

These are just a few examples of the different types of beef offal that are commonly consumed.

Uses of Cattle Offal

Cattle offal, also known as organ meat, has various uses and applications, including:

  1. Culinary uses: Cattle offal is a popular ingredient in many cuisines around the world. For example, the liver is often used to make pâté or as a main ingredient in liver and onions, while tripe is used in soups and stews.
  2. Nutrient-rich food: Cattle offal is a nutrient-dense food that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. It can be a good source of protein, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin B12.
  3. Pet food: Cattle offal can be used in the production of pet food, particularly for dogs and cats. It is often included in commercial pet food as a source of protein and other nutrients.
  4. Fertilizer: Cattle offal can be used as a fertilizer due to its high nitrogen content. It is often used in organic gardening to improve soil quality and promote plant growth.
  5. Industrial uses: Cattle offal can also be used in various industrial applications, such as in the production of leather and pharmaceuticals.