Sheep and goat meat market in Australia and New Zealand, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Australian and New Zealand sheep and goat meat market saw its volume decline from 1 562 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 405 thousand tonnes in 2021. This contraction was primarily caused by severe and prolonged drought conditions, which reduced herd sizes and lowered animal weights, curtailing overall production and shrinking the domestic market supply.

Improved environmental conditions from late 2021 onward enabled herd recovery and increased animal weights, boosting production. This supply expansion reversed the trend, driving market volume growth to 1 484 thousand tonnes in 2022 and further to 1 643 thousand tonnes in 2023. The rebound was reinforced by strong international demand, particularly for Australian goat meat exports to markets like South Korea.

Regulatory shifts, including the end of subsidies for chilled sheep meat exports from Australia, influenced trade flows. Meanwhile, the adoption of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) strengthened traceability and market access. Consumer preference for goat meat due to its lower fat content also played a role in shaping demand patterns during this period.

Production sheep and goat meat in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2018-2021

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

Sheep and goat meat production in Australia and New Zealand has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, production reached 2 257 K t, showing a slight year-over-year decrease of 0.6%. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 8.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.8%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two years of decline, sheep and goat meat production in Australia and New Zealand rebounded in value terms. In 2021, the output was valued at 16 235 M $ US, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 17.3%. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 13 839 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 6.9%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, foreign sheep and goat meat supplies from Australia and New Zealand reached 854.7 K t, up 1.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 5%, averaging an annual decline of 1.7%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 843.3 K t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 904.2 K t. The largest drop occurred in 2020 with a 6.7% decrease.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom consistently led the country structure of exports in kind. China accounted for 41.6% of exports, the United States for 13.4%, and the United Kingdom for 5.6%. Together, these three markets represented 60.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat from Australia and New Zealand amounted to 6 148 M $ US, reflecting a 19.6% increase over the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 5 142 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom were the primary markets for exports in value terms. China held a 32.2% share, the United States 19.2%, and the United Kingdom 6.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 57.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

Imported sheep and goat meat volumes in Australia and New Zealand have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 2.7 K t, up 11.0% from the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, imports surged by 168.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the geographical structure of imports in kind was dominated by the United Kingdom, which accounted for 7.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Sheep and goat meat imports in Australia and New Zealand have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 25 M $ US, showing a 21.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 63%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom remained the key supplier of sheep and goat meat to Australia and New Zealand, representing 7.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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