Beef, sheep or goat fat market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

The production of beef, sheep, and goat fats in Nepal remained relatively stable from 2018 to 2022, ranging between 6 600 t and 6 900 t, with a slight upward trend. This stability coincided with government and donor-led initiatives to promote commercial goat farming. The High Value Agriculture Project (HVAP) facilitated the import of Boer breed goats from Australia and provided financial and technical support for modern shed construction, enhancing productivity. Simultaneously, rising demand for goat meat in the local market encouraged farmers to expand their herds, supporting fat production as a by-product.

Market size fluctuations were primarily driven by volatile import volumes. Imports fell sharply from 19 125 t in 2018 to 12 865 t in 2019, causing total market size to drop by 24%. Subsequent import recoveries in 2020 and 2021, reaching 21 895 t, pushed market size to a peak of 28 577 t in 2021. Another import drop in 2022 to 11 879 t led to a 34% market contraction. These swings in imports overshadowed the steadier domestic production trends.

In 2023, domestic production fell significantly to 5 473 t, a decline of over 20% from the previous year. However, imports rose to 15 490 t, resulting in an 11% growth in market size to 20 963 t. Preliminary data for 2024 shows imports climbing further to 20 481 t, indicating continued reliance on foreign supply. Overall, the market demonstrated heavy dependence on import volatility throughout the period.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in Nepal

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

Nepal's production of beef, sheep, or goat fat has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 6 873 tonnes, marking a 0.9% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from Nepal

Industry analysis indicates that Nepal did not export any beef, sheep, or goat fat between 2017 and 2020.

Imports beef, sheep or goat fat to Nepal

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Nepal's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat reached 15 795 tonnes, showing a significant year-over-year increase of 22.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 8.4%, with an average annual decrease of 2.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 865 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 19 125 tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 32.7% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India dominated Nepal's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in kind, accounting for 89.1% of total imports, with the remainder coming from a variety of other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Nepal's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in value terms increased in 2020, totalling 10 717 thousand US dollars, which represents a 40.0% year-over-year gain. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15%, with an average annual decline of 5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 656 thousand US dollars, and the largest drop also occurred in that year, with a 37.6% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of Nepal's imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with India alone making up 90.9% of total flows.

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

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