Goat meat market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for goat meat in Southern Asia expanded consistently from 2018 to 2021, with volume rising from 1 942 thousand tons to 2 173 thousand tons. This growth was underpinned by steady domestic production, as imports remained negligible.

In 2022, the market volume increased to 2 344 thousand tons, supported by a global shift toward leaner protein sources as health-conscious consumers sought goat meat for its lower fat content. Simultaneously, the organized sector in India, a key market, saw modern abattoirs and chilled or frozen meat processors expand in tier-I and tier-II cities, improving access to standardized and hygienic products.

Growth continued in 2023, with volume reaching 2 537 thousand tons. Urbanization and rising disposable incomes in Southern Asia fueled demand for chilled and frozen goat meat, while the organized sector further developed with branded products and retail chains catering to evolving consumer preferences for convenience and quality.

Production goat meat in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of goat meat, 2017-2020

Goat meat production in Southern Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 096 thousand tons of goat meat, marking a modest increase of 2.9% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of goat meat production in Southern Asia has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 14 614 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate rise of 4.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 11%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 12 066 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 8.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the highest increase at 15.7%.

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

Exports goat meat from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Goat meat exports from Southern Asia have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 861 tons of goat meat, representing a significant drop of 26.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 8.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 349 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 69.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (accounting for 33.7% of exports in volume), Saudi Arabia (25.9%), and Bahrain (19.8%) emerged as the primary markets for goat meat exports from Southern Asia. Together, these three countries represented 79.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of goat meat exports from Southern Asia has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 6 004 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decrease of 25.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 7.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 379 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 49.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United Arab Emirates (35.4% of exports by value), Saudi Arabia (26.0%), and Bahrain (17.5%) remained the top buyers of goat meat from Southern Asia. Collectively, these markets accounted for 78.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports goat meat to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

The import market for goat meat in Southern Asia showed considerable volatility over these years. Imports fluctuated significantly, dropping by a factor of 5.8 from a high in 2017 to a low in 2018. In 2020, imports reached 944 tons, a slight increase of 1.3% from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 280 tons, which saw the largest decline of 82.7%. Conversely, 2019 recorded the highest increase at 233.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia (26.1% of imports by volume), Kuwait (22.3%), and Spain (15.3%) were the main sources of goat meat imports into Southern Asia. Together, these three countries made up 63.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market displayed an unstable pattern during this period. Imports changed by a factor of 6.2 from a peak in 2017 to a trough in 2018. In 2020, the value of goat meat imports stood at 2 353 thousand US dollars, up by 5.6% from the year before. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 223 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 84.0%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase at 82.1%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Kuwait (36.1% of imports by value), Australia (20.7%), and Spain (9.4%) continued to be the leading sources in the import structure for goat meat in Southern Asia. Their combined share accounted for 66.1% of total import flows.

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

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