Market research

Goat meat market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The volume of South Africa's goat meat market increased consistently from 11 331 t in 2018 to 12 228 t in 2023. This growth was supported by early regulatory and institutional efforts to formalize the sector. In 2018, the introduction of mandatory roller-marking for goat carcasses from commercial abattoirs aimed to boost commercial consumption, while the state-owned Kalahari Kid Corporation was established to drive industry commercialization. Additionally, a pilot project launched in the Eastern Cape sought to introduce Angora goat meat into retail stores.

Subsequent initiatives reinforced market expansion. In 2019, Saudi Arabia's expression of interest in sourcing one million goats per year prompted government support for black-farmer commercialization programs. By 2022, new regulations (R1283 and R2410) standardized the classification, packing, and labeling of goat meat products, enhancing market transparency. Concurrently, a study highlighted export opportunities within the SADC region. The formal sector's activity became more visible in 2023, when commercial goat slaughter numbers rose sharply from 1 144 to 11 578 head, reflecting increased processing in regulated facilities.

The market remains largely shaped by informal cultural and ritual demand, which limits availability for mainstream retail. To address bottlenecks, the Eastern Cape Indigenous Veld Goat project provided training to communal farmers in 2022. In 2024, the NAMC's Goat Section 7 Report identified key constraints and called for targeted support, while the Goat Market Information Day reaffirmed strong demand from African countries and emphasized the need for veterinary permits and training.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production goat meat in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of goat meat, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of goat meat, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

South Africa's goat meat production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 11 870 tonnes of goat meat, which represents a 1.5% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 4.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.6%	1.6%	1.5%	1.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports goat meat from South Africa

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with the highest volume being 29 times greater than the lowest. In 2021, South Africa exported 9 666 kg of goat meat, a decrease of 21.8% from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 12 366 kg. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 462.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	462.3%	418.9%	(21.8%)	183.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets for South Africa's goat meat exports in volume terms were Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Hong Kong. Together, these markets accounted for 86.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. Export values varied significantly, with the low in 2018 and the high in 2021 showing a 35-fold difference. In 2021, the value of goat meat exports from South Africa was recorded at 71 060 US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 582.5% compared to the prior year. The largest decline was observed in 2020, with a drop of 29.1%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 622.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	622.4%	(29.1%)	582.5%	227.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (42.8% of export value), Hong Kong (30.9% of export value), and Lesotho (8.7% of export value) were the largest buyers of South African goat meat in monetary terms. Combined, these three markets made up 82.4% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports goat meat to South Africa

Imports in kind, kg

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia was the primary source for goat meat imports into South Africa, consistently accounting for 100.0% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout the 2018–2021 period, Namibia was overwhelmingly the main source for goat meat imports into South Africa in value terms, representing 100.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io