Beef, sheep or goat fat market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The GCC market for beef, sheep and goat fats expanded consistently from 2018 to 2020, with total volume rising from 20 855 t to 28 338 t. This growth was supported by increasing domestic production, which reached 27 081 t in 2020, alongside a steady rise in imports.

Market volume stabilized in 2021 at 28 268 t, nearly matching the previous year's level. However, 2022 saw a contraction to 24 871 t, driven primarily by a decline in production to 22 217 t.

A strong recovery followed in 2023, pushing the market to a new high of 33 470 t. This surge was fueled by a significant rebound in production to 30 463 t, while imports remained at elevated levels.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

GCC's production of beef, sheep, or goat fat has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 27 081 tonnes, marking a 15.4% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 42.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in GCC in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from GCC

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with an 8.6-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, GCC's deliveries of beef, sheep, or goat fat totaled 858 tonnes, down 1.3% from the year before. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping 88.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, surging 578.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from GCC in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq were the key markets for GCC's exports in kind. Pakistan accounted for 58.6% of exports, while Iran and Iraq each made up 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented 61.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from GCC in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was volatile during this period. The highest export value was reached in 2017, and the lowest in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.2 times. In 2020, GCC's exports of beef, sheep, or goat fat amounted to 444 thousand US dollars, a 32.0% decrease from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, falling 53.8%, while the biggest increase came in 2019, rising 105.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from GCC in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq consistently led in the country structure of exports by value. Pakistan held 49.6% of exports, Iran 2.4%, and Iraq 1.5%. Combined, these markets accounted for 53.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from GCC in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef, sheep or goat fat to GCC

Imports in kind, t

GCC's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 2 115 tonnes, reflecting a sharp rise of 32.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 20.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The largest decline was in 2018, dropping 19.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to GCC in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind was highly diversified. Australia accounted for 22.7% of imports, Brazil for 13.6%, and Iran for 11.0%. Together, these three countries made up 47.3% of total flows, with the remaining 52.7% coming from a wide range of smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to GCC in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, GCC's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat rebounded. In 2020, imports totaled 2 090 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 55.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 23.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%. The largest decline was in 2018, falling 17.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to GCC in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia, Brazil, and China were the main markets for GCC's imports by value. Australia accounted for 28.1% of imports, Brazil for 13.0%, and China for 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented 51.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to GCC in value, 2017-2020