Goat meat market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

Ethiopia's goat meat market volume expanded from 94.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 135.6 thousand tons in 2020, driven by a notable increase in the number of producing animals that accelerated in 2019. Shifting consumer preferences toward convenience and quality in urban areas further supported domestic consumption during this period.

Market volume then declined to 111.0 thousand tons by 2023, as strengthened export demand to Middle Eastern markets diverted more production abroad. Persistent challenges such as low carcass weights and insufficient cold-chain infrastructure constrained production efficiency and contributed to the contraction.

Despite the volume decrease, the market value rose to $824 million in 2023, reflecting higher prices. Throughout the period, efforts to meet international sanitary standards and enhance meat quality continued, aiming to boost export competitiveness.

Production goat meat in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia ranked as the world's sixth-largest producer of goat meat.

Top producers of goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of goat meat, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's goat meat production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 146.5 thousand tonnes, marking a 3.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 58.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Goat meat production in Ethiopia expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 834.2 million US dollars, up 7.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 58.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 16.5%.

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

Exports goat meat from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

Ethiopia's goat meat exports fell for the third straight year. In 2020, exports totaled 10,889 tonnes, a decline of 14.5% compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 28.5%, with an average annual decrease of 10.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were the primary markets for Ethiopia's goat meat exports in volume terms, together making up 98.2% of the total, while other destinations had much smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ethiopia's goat meat export revenues declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 62,002 thousand US dollars, down 11.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 28.7%, averaging an annual drop of 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia consistently represented 98.3% of Ethiopia's goat meat export value, showing a highly concentrated market with a range of smaller buyers.

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

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

Imports goat meat to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany was the nearly exclusive supplier of goat meat to Ethiopia, accounting for 100.0% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany served as the key and almost sole source for Ethiopia's goat meat imports in value terms, making up 100.0% of the total.

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

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