Goat meat market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, China's goat meat market volume grew steadily, supported by national policy aiming to stabilize mutton and goat meat production capacity. Technological advancements, such as the mechanization of slaughter and the adoption of standardized grading and cutting, improved processing efficiency and product quality, facilitating the expansion of domestic output. These developments laid a foundation for consistent market growth during the initial years of the period.

The market's evolution was further shaped by a strategic push to develop the entire value chain. Authorities focused on cultivating leading enterprises, encouraging them to move from simple slaughter to deep processing while investing in cold chain logistics and packaging. Concurrently, rising consumer demand for green, healthy, and traceable meat products incentivized higher-quality offerings. The entry of major players like Erduun Group, which built integrated slaughtering, cold storage, and distribution networks, strengthened supply reliability and product freshness.

By 2023, market volume reached 2.6 million tons, though its total value declined significantly. This drop was primarily linked to sustained volatility and falling prices for live goats, which reduced farmer profits but increased meat affordability. Meanwhile, the restaurant sector introduced innovations such as geographically indicated goat meat products and fresh-cut meat series, which helped maintain consumer interest and diversify demand within the growing market.

Production goat meat in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China was the world's leading producer of goat meat from 2017 to 2020, ranking first globally by production volume.

Top producers of goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of goat meat, 2017-2020

China's goat meat production increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 2 412 thousand tonnes. This represented a modest gain of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's goat meat production value rose for the third straight year in 2020, totaling 29 064 million US dollars. This marked a controlled increase of 7.8% over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value expanded by 37.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports goat meat from China

Exports in kind, t

China's goat meat exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, falling to 930 tonnes. This represented a decrease of 1.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 73.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 35.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong and Macao dominated China's goat meat exports in volume, together accounting for 99.9% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, China's goat meat export value increased in 2020, reaching 11 208 thousand US dollars. This represented a 5.2% advance over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, however, export value decreased by 64.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 29.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 649 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019 at 45.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Hong Kong and Macao shaped China's goat meat export structure in value terms, jointly representing 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports goat meat to China

Imports in kind, t

China's goat meat import volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Volumes peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2017, representing a 98-fold difference between the two years. In 2020, imports amounted to 231 tonnes, marking a solid decline of 11.0% compared to the prior year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 264 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 9 730.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and New Zealand accounted for the bulk of China's goat meat imports in volume, together representing 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

China's goat meat import values exhibited volatility during these years. Peak imports occurred in 2019, while the trough was in 2017, with a 306-fold gap between them. In 2020, import value amounted to 1 485 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a solid decline of 10.4% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 657 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 28 673.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Australia and New Zealand were the two leading sources of China's goat meat imports in value terms, together accounting for 100.0% of total imports.

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

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