Goat meat market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the goat meat market in Sri Lanka grew significantly, from 1 849 t to 3 180 t. This expansion was primarily fueled by concerted government efforts to boost domestic production. The National Livestock Development Board's goat-breeding program introduced the Boer meat breed to improve carcass yield, while the Ministry of Agriculture's subsidized Goat Development Project provided key inputs to private farms. A major acceleration occurred in 2021 with the launch of a state program to distribute 70 000 goats to rural youth, directly contributing to a sharp rise in production to 2 500 t that year.

A market shift began in 2022, with total volume dipping to 2 832 t. This change was largely due to a steep fall in imports, which dropped from 933 t in 2020 to just 152 t. The decline coincided with the implementation of stricter labeling regulations for fresh and chilled goat meat, mandating country-of-origin and halal certification, which likely affected import flows. Meanwhile, domestic output continued its upward trend, reaching 2 750 t in 2023, supported by the ongoing goat distribution scheme and a government buy-back program designed to stabilize farm-gate prices and secure market access for local producers.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 2 895 t. Although retail prices rose to Rs 3 264 per kg reflecting broader inflationary pressures, domestic production capacity was reinforced by continued state investment. Policy direction in 2024, emphasizing self-sufficiency through extended feed and breeding stock subsidies, pointed towards a sustained focus on growing local processing and output.

Production goat meat in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of goat meat, 2017-2020

Sri Lanka's goat meat production increased for the second year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 1 810 tonnes, followed by a rise to 1 960 tonnes in 2020, marking an 8.3% increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.6%, averaging 4.0% annually. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 630 tonnes, which represented a 6.3% decline from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with an 11.0% jump.

Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports goat meat from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Sri Lanka exported 0.1 tonnes of goat meat, showing little change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2019, exports surged by 200%, averaging an annual growth rate of 44.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Sri Lanka's goat meat exports were almost entirely directed to the Maldives, which accounted for 100.0% of the total volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Sri Lanka's goat meat exports reached 1 000 US dollars, remaining largely stable compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2019, export value increased by 125.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 31.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Maldives was the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of Sri Lankan goat meat, making up 100.0% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Sri Lanka in value, 2017-2020

Imports goat meat to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 219.0 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 933.5 tonnes, resulting in a 4.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports rose by 3.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 59.8% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 314.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia, Spain, and Romania were the leading sources of goat meat imports to Sri Lanka by volume. Australia accounted for 38.2%, Spain for 22.3%, and Romania for 21.9%, together representing 82.4% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility throughout the timeframe. Import value hit a low of 726 000 US dollars in 2018 and a high of 2 280 000 US dollars in 2020, varying by 3.1 times. In 2020, imports increased by 10.6% year-on-year. The largest decline was in 2018, at 53.1%, while the biggest rise occurred in 2019, with a 183.9% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, Spain, and Romania remained the primary sources for Sri Lanka's goat meat imports by value. Australia contributed 41.7%, Spain 18.9%, and Romania 18.1%, collectively accounting for 78.7% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Sri Lanka in value, 2017-2020