Sheep and goat meat market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

The Australian sheep and goat meat industry underwent a structural transformation from 2018, with producers increasingly shifting herd composition toward breeds optimized for meat yield rather than wool. This long-term strategic move, supported by industry bodies like Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) through marketing and research services, enhanced the sector's potential output.

Market volumes were significantly disrupted by external shocks, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which caused supply chain bottlenecks and a sharp production decline. Subsequent years saw sustained inflationary pressures, labor shortages, and rising input costs constraining operations, while emerging regulatory focus on greenhouse gas emissions introduced new cost considerations for producers.

Despite these challenges, the market demonstrated strong recovery, with production surging to 1.8 million tons in 2023, driving domestic market volume to over 1.2 million tons. This growth highlights the industry's adaptation to post-pandemic conditions and its ability to leverage efficient production systems amid global demand.

Production sheep and goat meat in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia maintained its position as the world's fourth-largest producer of sheep and goat meat.

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, Australia's sheep and goat meat production rebounded in 2021, reaching 1 368.9 thousand tonnes. This marked a 1.7% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, overall production fell by 9.9%, translating to an average annual decline of 3.4%. The lowest production level occurred in 2020 at 1 346.6 thousand tonnes, which saw the steepest drop of 10.7% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the value of Australia's sheep and goat meat production surged to 9 647 million US dollars, representing a significant year-on-year increase of 21.7%. Over the 2018-2021 timeframe, production value grew by 11.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 7 927 million US dollars, which experienced a 9.9% decline that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports sheep and goat meat from Australia

Exports in kind, K t

Australia exported 458.5 thousand tonnes of sheep and goat meat in 2021, up 2.3% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 6.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.4%. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 448.3 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 514.5 thousand tonnes. The sharpest drop of 12.9% happened in 2020, whereas 2019 saw the largest increase of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, China, the United States, and Malaysia were Australia's top buyers of sheep and goat meat by volume. China accounted for 31.9% of exports, followed by the United States at 19.1%, and Malaysia at 5.4%. Together, these three markets represented 56.4% of Australia's total sheep and goat meat exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Australia's sheep and goat meat export value reached 3 231 million US dollars, showing a strong 22.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value rose by 15.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 639 million US dollars, which experienced a 12.1% decline that year.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States, China, and the United Arab Emirates led Australia's sheep and goat meat exports by value. The United States accounted for 26.9% of export value, China for 24.3%, and the United Arab Emirates for 5.4%. Collectively, these three destinations represented 56.6% of Australia's total export value.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Australia

Imports in kind, K t

Australia's sheep and goat meat imports showed considerable volatility during this period, with a peak in 2021 and a trough in 2020—a 2.2-fold difference. In 2021, imports amounted to 1.9 thousand tonnes, reflecting a dramatic 121.8% increase from the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 0.8 thousand tonnes, which saw a 25.7% decline that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand was the primary source for Australia's sheep and goat meat imports by volume, accounting for 33.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Australia's sheep and goat meat import value displayed an unstable trend throughout this period, with a peak in 2021 and a trough in 2018—a 2.5-fold gap. In 2021, import value totaled 9 million US dollars, surging 147.4% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 9.3% drop.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, New Zealand was the largest source of Australia's sheep and goat meat imports by value, representing 23.9% of total import value.

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

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