Sheep and goat meat market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, production and market volume of sheep and goat meat in Bangladesh increased consistently from 441.6 thousand tonnes to 494.0 thousand tonnes, reflecting stable domestic consumption with negligible import dependence.

The market's growth in 2023 was driven primarily by rising consumer demand for protein-rich diets and the expanding convenience of online meat purchases, which improved product accessibility. Government regulatory efforts to enforce food safety and hygiene standards further supported consumer confidence and market stability.

By 2024, segment dynamics shifted as goat meat saw a slight decrease in value while lamb and sheep meat segments grew modestly. This change was influenced by the expansion of cold-chain facilities, which increased frozen meat consumption, and by processing inefficiencies. Concurrently, growing export opportunities fueled by global halal demand and the expansion of commercial farming presented new avenues for market development.

Production sheep and goat meat in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Bangladesh ranked 15th globally in sheep and goat meat production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

Bangladesh's sheep and goat meat production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 461.8 thousand tons, marking a 2.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 7.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, t

The export market for sheep and goat meat experienced significant volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a fivefold difference between the two years. In 2020, Bangladesh exported 4.6 tons, representing a sharp 55.5% drop compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was 2.1 tons in 2018, while the maximum reached 10.2 tons in 2019. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, with exports surging by 399.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Maldives and the United Arab Emirates were the primary buyers of sheep and goat meat from Bangladesh, together accounting for 81.7% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for sheep and goat meat showed considerable volatility. The highest value was recorded in 2019, while the lowest was in 2018, with a sixteenfold gap between them. In 2020, Bangladesh exported $38 thousand worth of sheep and goat meat, a 57.0% decrease from 2019. The minimum value was $5 thousand in 2018, and the maximum was $88 thousand in 2019. The steepest decline occurred in 2018, with a 78.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a remarkable 1 514.8% surge.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Maldives and the United Arab Emirates dominated as the top buyers of Bangladeshi sheep and goat meat in value terms, jointly representing 93.0% of total export earnings.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, t

Bangladesh's imports of sheep and goat meat fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 5.8 tons, a 59.9% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 99.4%, translating to an average annual decline of 81.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Saudi Arabia was the leading source of sheep and goat meat imports to Bangladesh, accounting for 81.3% of total import volumes, while the remainder came from various smaller suppliers.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of sheep and goat meat imports to Bangladesh declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled $65 thousand, down 50.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values fell by 94.5%, with an average annual decrease of 61.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia were the main sources of sheep and goat meat imports to Bangladesh in value terms, together making up 85.6% of total import spending, with other countries contributing smaller shares.

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

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