Goat meat market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The goat meat market in Saudi Arabia grew steadily from 2018 to 2020, with volume increasing from 32 310 t to 49 873 t. Industry expectations during this period were positive, as a 2020 market outlook anticipated sustained growth for the goat meat and cheese segment.

Market volume then declined over the next two years, falling to 40 142 t by 2022. This contraction phase passed without specific reported drivers affecting total consumption.

A strong recovery occurred in 2023, with the market expanding by 59% to reach 63 812 t. The subsequent establishment of a dedicated dwarf goat breeders' association in Al-Ahsa in 2024 and the ongoing expansion of butcher shop and ready-to-eat food chains across the GCC region highlight efforts to organize the sector and strengthen distribution, which contributed to the market's rebound.

Production goat meat in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia ranked 21st globally in goat meat production volume.

Top producers of goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of goat meat, 2017-2020

Goat meat production in Saudi Arabia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 48 699 tonnes of goat meat were produced, marking a substantial rise of 23.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 59.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports goat meat from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 2.7-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2019, goat meat exports from Saudi Arabia were recorded at 31 tonnes, representing a sudden drop of 62.6% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 81 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 172.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Oman and the United Arab Emirates remained the principal destinations for exports in kind, jointly accounting for 83.2% of total flows, while other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The highest exports in value terms occurred in 2018, with the lowest in 2017, reflecting a 5.1-fold gap. In 2019, Saudi Arabia exported 128 thousand US dollars of goat meat, amounting to a sudden loss of 63.0% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 345 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 411.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Oman and the United Arab Emirates played the leading roles in exports in value terms, with a combined share of 81.4% of total flows, while the remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

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

Imports goat meat to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Saudi Arabia imported 1 174 tonnes of goat meat, corresponding to an intense fall of 45.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 60.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 26.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 47.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 40.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia (with 51.4% of imports in kind), Australia (22.6%), and New Zealand (10.9%) led the structure of imports in kind, together representing 84.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Saudi Arabia's goat meat import volume totalled 6 521 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic decline of 58.0% over the past year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 58.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 40.9%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia (with 54.6% of imports in value terms), Australia (17.0%), and New Zealand (12.9%) stood out as the main markets for imports in value terms, together representing 84.5% of total flows.

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

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