Goat meat market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the goat meat market in Sudan grew gradually from 118.6 thousand tonnes to 120.3 thousand tonnes. This increase was supported by export contracts, notably an agreement between the Egyptian Holding Company for Food Industries and Sudanese Trends Company, which stipulated deliveries of 19 thousand tonnes of meat in 2018 and 26 thousand tonnes in 2019. These contracts stimulated production by creating additional external demand for Sudanese meat.

The market then contracted to 115.9 thousand tonnes in 2021 and further to 111.9 thousand tonnes in 2022. This decline coincided with a sharp rise in meat prices in Khartoum, where, for example, the price of mutton reached 4,200 Sudanese pounds per kg, reflecting economic difficulties and reduced affordability. During this period, the Sudanese Ministry of Agriculture signed new export agreements with Sudanese Trends Company to supply live meat to Egypt, but this was insufficient to offset domestic challenges.

In 2023, the market volume stabilized at 112.3 thousand tonnes despite severe disruptions to the livestock sector from armed conflict. The conflicts halted exports, caused animal losses, and affected about 26 million Sudanese dependent on the sector. Mutton and goat meat remained key export commodities, accounting for 51% of livestock export value. Sudanese meat retains its organic advantages due to free-range breeding, and there are plans to develop logistical infrastructure for exports.

Production goat meat in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Sudan ranked as the world's 8th largest producer of goat meat by volume.

Top producers of goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of goat meat, 2017-2020

Goat meat production in Sudan grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 121.0 thousand tonnes. This represented a 0.8% increase from 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production rose by 2.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 0.8%.

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

Exports goat meat from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

Goat meat exports from Sudan increased for the second straight year in 2020, totaling 773 tonnes—a significant 43.4% jump from 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall exports fell by 35.2%, with a compound annual decline of 13.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 419 tonnes, marking the steepest drop of 64.9% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the dominant destination for Sudan's goat meat exports, accounting for 78.0% of total export volume. Other markets played a much smaller role during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 549 thousand US dollars, while the lowest occurred in 2019 at 2 740 thousand US dollars—a peak-to-trough ratio of 2 times. In 2020, Sudan's goat meat export value rebounded to 4 774 thousand US dollars, a 74.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 50.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates remained the primary destination for Sudan's goat meat exports in value terms, representing 78.8% of total export revenue. Other markets contributed only minor shares.

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

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

Imports goat meat to Sudan

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Sudan's goat meat imports rose in 2020 to 65 tonnes, a dramatic 48.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, imports decreased by 25.2%, with a compound annual decline of 9.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 44 tonnes, following the largest drop of 39.0% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Italy, and Kenya were consistently the top sources for Sudan's goat meat imports by volume. Spain accounted for 36.0%, Italy for 21.9%, and Kenya for 17.8%, together making up 75.6% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year contraction, Sudan's goat meat import value increased in 2020 to 268 thousand US dollars, a sharp 57.1% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, however, import value fell by 53.4%, averaging an annual decline of 22.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 171 thousand US dollars, after the steepest drop of 62.6% in 2018.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Spain, France, and Italy were the main suppliers of goat meat to Sudan in value terms. Spain contributed 33.4%, France 19.9%, and Italy 18.4%, collectively accounting for 71.8% of total import value.

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

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