Goat meat market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The goat meat market in Northern Africa began the period at 231.7 thousand tons in 2018. Consumer demand was characterized by a strong preference for fresh halal meat, valued for its leanness and high protein content, ideal for traditional grilling and stewing. Market segmentation between fresh and frozen products, along with kosher compliance requirements, further defined purchasing patterns.

After 2018, market volume experienced fluctuations, declining to 219.1 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to a peak of 228.7 thousand tons in 2021. A subsequent gradual reduction followed, with the market reaching 223.8 thousand tons in 2023. Throughout this period, imports and exports were minimal, indicating that domestic production was the primary determinant of market size.

Production goat meat in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of goat meat, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, goat meat production in Northern Africa rebounded in 2020. The region produced 227 000 tonnes of goat meat that year, representing a 3.4% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production actually decreased by 6.3%, with an average annual decline rate of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 219 600 tonnes, which also marked the steepest annual drop of 5.3%.

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

Exports goat meat from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Northern Africa's goat meat exports grew for the second straight year in 2020, reaching 774 tonnes. This represents a substantial 43.5% increase from the previous year. However, over the full 2017-2020 timeframe, exports declined by 35.3%, translating to an average annual decrease of 13.5%. The export volume hit its lowest point in 2018 at 432 tonnes, which coincided with the most significant annual contraction of 63.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates dominated Northern Africa's goat meat export flows, accounting for 77.8% of total shipments. Other trading partners held considerably smaller shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market displayed considerable volatility throughout the observed period. After peaking in 2018 and bottoming out in 2019—with values differing by a factor of two—Northern Africa's goat meat exports rebounded to 4 776 000 US dollars in 2020. This marked a strong 74.3% recovery from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 740 000 US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 5 605 000 US dollars. The most pronounced annual decline of 51.1% took place in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates maintained a dominant position in Northern Africa's goat meat export value, consistently representing 78.6% of total exports. This highlights the market's heavy reliance on this single destination, with remaining exports distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports goat meat to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Northern Africa's goat meat import market experienced notable volatility between 2017 and 2020. Following a peak in 2018 and a trough in 2019—with volumes fluctuating by a factor of 3.9—imports reached 65 tonnes in 2020. This represents a 48.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 44 tonnes, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 172 tonnes. The most significant annual decline of 74.4% took place in 2019, whereas the largest increase of 78.3% was observed in 2018.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Italy consistently led Northern Africa's goat meat import structure by volume. Saudi Arabia accounted for 31.4% of imports, Spain for 23.8%, and Italy for 14.5%. Together, these three markets represented 69.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market demonstrated significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. Values swung dramatically from a peak in 2018 to a trough in 2019, changing by a factor of 6.2. In 2020, Northern Africa's goat meat imports totaled 268 000 US dollars, reflecting a sharp 57.1% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 171 000 US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 1 061 000 US dollars. The most substantial annual decline of 83.9% took place in 2019, whereas the largest increase of 71.6% was observed in 2018.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and France formed the core group of Northern Africa's goat meat import markets by value. Saudi Arabia accounted for 39.9% of import value, Spain for 19.4%, and France for 11.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 70.9% of total import flows.

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

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