Goat meat market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The goat meat market in South America grew from 68 thousand tons in 2018 to 75.5 thousand tons in 2023, with production as the primary source given negligible trade volumes. The increase was not steady, featuring a rise in 2019, stabilization in 2020 and 2021, a slight dip in 2022, and a strong recovery in 2023.

In 2022, market volume edged down to 72 thousand tons. Supply-side constraints played a key role, including cold-chain deficiencies in rural areas and seasonal livestock losses due to droughts, which limited availability. On the demand side, e-commerce sales of fresh and frozen goat meat rose by 24%, supported by improved last-mile delivery and a 29% expansion of refrigerated fleets. Consumer preference also shifted toward convenient, ready-to-cook cuts like cubes and chops, whose demand increased by 33%.

The market rebounded in 2023, reaching 75.5 thousand tons, a 4.9% increase from the previous year. This growth aligns with the longer-term upward trend, though no specific drivers were highlighted in the sources for this year.

Production goat meat in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of goat meat, 2017-2020

Following two consecutive years of growth, South America's goat meat production volume experienced a decline. In 2020, the region produced 71 918 tonnes of goat meat, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 9.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 72 284 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest annual increase of 6.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports goat meat from South America

Exports in kind, t

The export market demonstrated significant volatility during this period. The highest export volume occurred in 2019, while the lowest was recorded in 2018, creating a remarkable 528-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, South America exported just 1.9 tonnes of goat meat, representing a dramatic 99.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was 0.4 tonnes in 2018, while the maximum reached 191.0 tonnes in 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 at 99.8%, whereas the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with an extraordinary growth of 52 672.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam emerged as the leading destination for South America's goat meat exports in volume terms, accounting for 51.9% of total shipments. The Bahamas followed with 13.7%, and Angola with 13.1%. Together, these three markets represented 78.8% of all goat meat exports from the region during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values displayed considerable volatility throughout the observed timeframe. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2018, export values changed by a factor of 245. In 2020, South America's goat meat exports amounted to 14.9 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic contraction of 96.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1.9 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 99.6% drop, while the largest increase was observed in 2019 with growth of 19 662.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Vietnam led as the primary buyer of South American goat meat in value terms, accounting for 41.9% of total export value. Oman followed with 16.6%, and Angola with 16.1%. Collectively, these three markets represented 74.6% of South America's total goat meat export value.

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

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

Imports goat meat to South America

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed an unstable pattern throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their peak in 2019 and their lowest point in 2018, with a 4.5-fold difference between these two years. In 2019, South America imported 0.4 tonnes of goat meat, representing a substantial 349.2% increase compared to 2018. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 32.7% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States served as virtually the exclusive supplier of goat meat to South America, accounting for 100.0% of the region's total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values exhibited volatility during the observed period. The market reached its peak in 2019 and its lowest point in 2018, showing a 6.3-fold amplitude between these extremes. In 2019, South America's goat meat imports amounted to 3.9 thousand US dollars, constituting a 529.3% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.6 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 22.1% decrease.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United States maintained its position as the dominant and nearly exclusive source of goat meat imports to South America in value terms, holding a 100.0% share of total import value.

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

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